Amidst reports that pressures are being mounted on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pardon certain public functionaries accused of financial malpractices, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria ( MMWG) has warned that pardoning public functionaries accused of financial malpractices would set bad precedence and send wrong signals about the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Reacting to call made by a Political Group – Arewa Unity Front – that suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Dr. Betta Edu be reinstated as a Minister on the basis of her ‘unblemished record and dedication to duties’, the Group warned against politicisation of criminal offences and economic crimes, stating that such an action would not only create a bad precedence but send a wrong signal about the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a Press Statement by the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria today jointly signed by its National Coordinator Alh. Ibrahim Abdullahi and the Ogun State Coordinator of the Group Alh. Kamaldeen Akintunde, the Media Group wondered why some Groups and individuals could be pleading for suspects being investigated instead of waiting for the outcome of the Investigative Panel set-up by Mr. President.
The Group said what is better is for all of us to wait for the outcome of investigation and later take rational decisions that would be devoid of any sentiment or parochialism whatsoever, adding that Public Functionaries being investigated whether Former or serving irrespective religion or ethnic background must be given fair-hearing and justice must be allowed to take its normal course.
The Group warned that unless all our Administration at all levels are runned based on fact, justice, transparency, accountability and rules of law, good governance being pursued by Tinubu Administration, would be difficult to achieve and maintained.
The Media Watch Group stated further that the inability of the Immediate-past Administration in the Country to act promptly over all acts of economic infractions being committed that time led us to where we are today with several cases of economic crimes running into billions of Naira and millions of dollars both of which the Anti-Graft Agencies i.e. EFCC and ICPC are now investigating to make the offenders to face prosecution in line with our extant laws.
The Media Group appealed to political groups and individuals to stop fronting for public office holders accused of betraying the Country by violating the Oath of their offices; adding that supporting offenders for pecuniary and selfish interests make such sympathisers accomplices in the crimes of looting of public funds.
On the claimed approval given to the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs by the President to spend the sum of N3 Billion being unspent COVID-19 Fund for preparation of fresh Register of the vulnerables in the Country and conveyed to the suspended Minister by the Chief of Staff to the President Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Group queried whether such approval gave waivers to the Minister to violate the Procurement Act having participated fully the Presidential Retreat for Ministers on how to run governmental affairs.
It also queried the signing of document to N3 Billion Deal when as a matter of fact the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry is the Accounting Officer of the Ministry.
The Group finally commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his effort to revive the National Economy and fight Insecurity in all ramifications.
