Release VP’s report on Babachir Lawal & Ayo Oke says ADP and other groups

Action Democratic Party (ADP) has urged the Buhari led administration to release Vice President Yemi Osibanjo’s committee’s report on alleged fraud against suspended SGF, Babachir Lawal and Ayo Oke, former Director-General, NIA. The National Chairman of the party, Mr Yabagi Sani, stated this on Thursday in Abuja, during the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. He accused the Federal Government of paying lip service to its fight against corruption in spite of its avowed decision to fight the menace head on. According to him, the 25 billion dollar contract award scandal in the NNPC and other unresolved cases of corruption involving government functionaries brings to question its commitment to the fight against corruption. “The President should come out clean on the NNPC contract award scandal since he is the supervising Minister of Petroleum,’’ he said. The party chairman also advised the Federal Government to heed the warning of the World Bank over its plan to borrow 5.5 billion dollars to finance infrastructural development across the country. He said this was especially in view of the country’s high debt profile, adding that it was unfortunate that the country was presently grappling with economic challenges. Similarly, Say No Campaign, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has dared government to release the report on the suspended officials. Convener of the organisation, Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, told newsmen that the issue had remained a secret to Nigerians in spite of the huge amount of 43 million dollars involved. He said that there had been no reaction from the presidency since the report of the investigation was submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari. Nwagwu added that it was similar situation with the case of alleged fraud of N270 million for grass-cutting against Lawal. “What remains unclear is why the president instituted a panel to conduct the investigation, and why the EFCC was not directed to handle the cases from beginning. “Regardless of these anomalies, the president maintains silence, making justice to remain delayed and the anti-corruption fight, led by the president, himself, in jeopardy. “While the desire of the current regime to fight corruption is unequivocally stated, the mannerism or body language of the chief executive, in the face of corruption allegation against certain public officials within inner circle, betrays this noble intent. “The reality of seemingly protecting `sacred cows’ stares us right in the face and thus has become difficult to ignore,’’ he said.