Civil Societies Warn EFCC Not To Compromise Ex-Govs Ganduje, Matawalle’s Corruption Cases

They called on President Bola Tinubu to take the anti-corruption war with more precision in the country.

The Kano State Government had arraigned Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat, son, Umar and six others for alleged $413,000 and N1.38billion bribery.

The defendants, who were absent from court, were arraigned in absentia.

However, the coalition asked Tinubu to stop the EFCC from further deceiving Nigerians by unfairly castigating law abiding citizens, intimidating people perceived to have no godfathers and allowing established criminals to roam the streets with audacity at the expense of the country’s image.

COMAP, in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Ibrahim Kure; and Secretary, Barr. Udoji Franklin on Thursday, frowned at what they described as “the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s penchant for selective persecution of persons perceived to be in the bad books of certain political interests in the country.”

According to the groups, the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCCAC), Muhuyi Magaji, also stated that the agency had traced several billions allegedly diverted by Ganduje.

The statement reads in part; “The Kano High Court was to arraign the former Kano Governor, Umaru Ganduje and his wife on April 17, 2024, over allegations of bribery and misappropriation of funds. Neither he nor his wife went to court. They also disrespected the court so much that they didn’t send any Counsel.

“Matter was adjourned to 29th April but was stalled again. No representation, no appearance. Ganduje was not present. The case was again adjourned to May 16, and on that day, arraignment was rescheduled to June 5. Still, the former governor, who we are sure no longer as immunity and is not above the laws of Nigeria by virtue of being the Chairman of the ruling party, did not show up. No representation still. The last arraignment was supposed to be July 11.

“At the resumed proceedings on July 11, Ganduje and his co-defendants were again absent. The judge declined a prayer by the prosecution counsel for a warrant of arrest but ruled that the defendants could be tried in absentia. Remember, this is also a criminal case like the one the EFCC is celebrating everyday on another former two-term governor.”

The CSOs called on President Bola Tinubu to save the image of corruption war in Nigeria and stop the EFCC from further deceiving Nigerians by unfairly castigating law abiding citizens, intimidating people perceived to have no godfathers and allowing established criminals to roam the streets with audacity at the expense of the country’s image.

“Aside from Ganduje, there are many pending cases that the anti-graft agency has tactically abandoned. We are aware that the N70billion money laundering allegation against Bello Matawalle, former Governor of Nasarawa State, is still pending though he has a restraining order against arrest.

“If the EFCC cannot engage in a just fight against corruption, starting from within its ranks, they should stop molesting vulnerable political figures. It is high time we saddled people with the real responsibilities of tackling corruption in Nigeria and not executing dangerous political survival strategies for paymasters,” COMAP stated.