The Centre for Anti-Corruption
and Open Leadership (CACOL) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission to investigate allegations of fraud levelled against the National
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.
This was contained in a press
release issued on Wednesday by Ikenna Aghagbobi, CACOL’s Media and Publications
Officer on behalf of its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran.
According to the CACOL boss: “Our
call is based on a suit which was reportedly filed by Bishop Osadolor Ochei
alleging that Oshiomhole while in office as Edo State governor, acquired
property in United States of America, South Africa and Dubai worth billions of
US dollars and far in excess of his legitimate income.
“He also alleged before the court
that the ex-governor built a sprawling mansion worth more than N10b in his
hometown, Iyamho, Edo State while in office.
“The Cleric also stated in the
suit that he had on November 4, 2016, sent a petition to the EFCC narrating
some corrupt practices the ex-governor was involved in.”
He maintained that EFCC’s refusal
to act on petitions containing “weighty allegations” against Oshiomhole, ran
contrary to Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which enjoined
the State to abolish corrupt practices.”
Adeniran further pointed out that
it is necessary for the EFCC to investigate these allegations for the purpose
of convincing the Nigerian public that its arrest and prosecution of corruption
culprits was not targeted at only members of the opposition.
“The rumours which have been
making the rounds indicating that the present administration has been witch
hunting members of the opposition while portraying members of the ruling All
Progressives Congress (APC) as saints need to be debunked by the EFCC.
“How can a body whose sole
obligation is to investigate and prosecute anyone indicted of a corruption
crime be reluctant to carry out its statutory assignment against suspects or
dismissing these allegations if they are found to lack substance?
“Although it is shameful that the
EFCC would need to be reminded to investigate allegations levelled against
Oshiomhole, we recall that several officials of the Federal Government who have
been exposed for committing forgery and other crimes are still being treated with
kid gloves. This is the major problem we have in our fight against corruption.
“While we urge the EFCC to
initiate a diligent probe on the weighty allegation of funds diversion and
misappropriation against the APC Chairman, we challenge Oshiomhole to debunk
these allegations and take whatever steps he considers necessary if these
allegations are untrue as this will set an example worth emulating.”
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