- Comrade Frank's letter is in connection to the recent fund recovery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos
- The Bayelsa-born APC chieftain raised 7 posers in his letter
The deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank has written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Comrade Frank's letter is in connection to the recent fund recovery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos.
The Bayelsa-born APC chieftain noted that while many Nigerians have applauded the progress recorded in the anti-corruption war, and highly commend the EFCC for the great job they are doing, they expect the anti-graft commission to move a step further by disclosing those who truly own the recovered funds.
He wrote: ''There have also been unconfirmed stories that the money belongs to a powerful official of government. Curiously, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is said to have laid claims to the money.
''Notwithstanding, the belief by Nigerians that the NIA's claim is a mere smokescreen has not abated. Added to the controversy is a South-south governor who claimed that the money belongs to the state with a demand that it should be returned to the state coffers.
''Mr. President, while your sincerity, zeal and single-mindedness to vanquish corruption in this country is clear to all, the EFCC has equally acted in tandem with their mandate to track, investigate, recover and prosecute suspected corrupt persons. This they have done and continue to do.
''Presently however, Nigerians expect them to move a step further by disclosing owners of the monies being recovered - beginning from the Kaduna Airport.
''Majority of Nigerians believe that there should be no secrecy in the fight against corruption because they want to know both the small and the big thieves if any. They want to know those who through nefarious activities have foisted the present economic hardship on them - be they big or small.'''
Comrade Frank also raised 7 key posers in his letter to the president,
Read below:
1. Is it true that the latest cash haul from an apartment in Ikoyi, belongs to the NIA that had reportedly laid claim to the money? The EFCC needs to clarify this.
2. If the money recovered from the Ikoyi apartment was approved and released by the last administration for "covert operations" as claimed, why was the money not kept in the bank or stored in a safe in any of its officially recognized offices nationwide?
3. Is the said Ikoyi apartment more secured than the well protected and guarded offices of the agency across the country? Is the apartment the property of the NIA? If not, who leased it to them?
4. Is the apartment a bank? Is it correct to say that the money belongs to a high profile Nigerian in or outside government now allegedly being shielded?
5. How could the agency have stashed such humongous amount in a building being shared by non-security personnel or neigbours without the presence of its operatives, if only to keep an eye on the money?
6. If the agency was unable to carry out its intended 'covert' operation almost two years after the money was released to it, why didn't they return it into government coffers, rather than sequester the cash in an unguarded location?
7. Again, since the NIA allegedly claimed that the money belongs to it, why has the EFCC not confirmed or deny the claim?
Until the EFCC makes public the real owner of the money, it will be difficult to convince Nigerians that the money belongs to the NIA.
Comrade Frank urged the president to step in through another competent security agency like the Department of State Services (DSS) to independently investigate and unravel the true owner of the funds in order to put the present controversy to rest.
He argued that this action would help steady the anti-corruption efforts of the present administration, prevent misconceptions and promote efforts of the present administration aimed at reviving the economy.
He also stated that the intervention will not only restore order to the present chaos but will also go a long way to strengthen the anti-graft war of the present administration without jeopardizing the economic interests of the country and its citizens.
''Besides, this step need to be taken to prevent our country from being ridiculed by no less embarrassed members of the international community.
''I believe that the government should do the needful to keep the trust it has garnered since assumption of office almost two years ago through forthrightness, sincerity, accountability and transparency,''' he concluded.
0 Comments