Prominent Nigerians and political parties, on Friday, faulted the Federal Government’s position on the report of the House of Representatives’ Ad Hoc Committee on the management of the fuel subsidy.
The president of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Peter Esele, and his counterpart in the Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, as well as the Congress for Progressive Change and the All Nigeria Peoples Party, warned the government against giving protection to those indicted in the report.
But, three eminent lawyers, Prof. Itse Sagay, Chief Olisa Agbakoba and Mr. Fred Agbaje said anti-corruption agencies should use the findings of the committee as the basis for their investigations and subsequent prosecution of indicted persons.
The lawyers emphasised the need for the government to build a strong case that could succeed in the law courts.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, had said that the investigation by the House was a fact-finding exercise. Adoke said there was no plan to prosecute those indicted in the N1.7trn fuel subsidy scam.
He said, “The need to ensure that thorough investigation is carried out by the relevant law enforcement agencies cannot be overemphasised.
“This is because the exercise carried out by the House of Representatives is mainly fact-finding. Also, I wish to point out that the report of the ad-hoc committee and the resolutions adopted by the House of Representatives are yet to be transmitted to the executive arm of government.
“When the report and accompanying resolutions are received, the relevant law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies will commence the tedious process of sieving through the report, with a view to assembling all the essential ingredients required to sustain criminal charges that may be filed as a result of the investigation.”
In his reaction, the National Publicity Secretary of the CPC, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, said the opposition party was not surprised by the AGF’s comments.
He said, “Under Jonathan’s watch, the nation is tottering under the weight of humongous corruption and irresponsible aloofness.
“As expected, the indicted people, being the President’s acolytes, must be protected by enjoying a ‘soft-landing’ through the government’s unending investigation.”
Esele faulted the position of the AGF in a telephone interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday.
He said Adoke’s position showed clearly that he had taken sides on the issue regarding the result of the probe without subjecting the outcome of the investigation to serious examination as expected of his office.
He said, “The statement shows that the AGF has taken sides. He should have obtained the report, analysed its strengths and take a decision.
“But if he has taken a decision, one begins to wonder if there is nothing good to take away in all the things the House has done.”
Faulting the AGF’s comments on the issue, Okei-Odumakin said they were at variance with what was expected of his office.
Urging the Federal Government not to shield oil thieves, the CD president said, “Nigerians must put pressure on the Goodluck Jonathan administration to ensure that the executive theft is not swept under a presidential carpet.”
Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the ANPP, Mr. Emma Eneukwu, said that the AGF would not opt for the prosecution of the indicted oil importers because a decision to the contrary would affect the Federal Government.
He said that prosecuting those indicted by the House probe would result in serious revelations which might involve people in high places. He alleged that the AGF would not show the expected interest in probing the scam further as the outcome of such an exercise could unearth graver issues which could cause confusion in the country.
In his reaction to the AGF’s statement, Sagay said, “I think what he said was reasonable. What is needed now is for the EFCC to conduct an investigation and buttress whatever evidence that was unearthed by the committee.
“The EFCC has to build up its own case.”