The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe the video clips showing Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, allegedly receiving bribes from contractors.
In a statement in Abuja on Thursday, AFRICMIL’s Coordinator, Chido Onumah, described the allegations against the governor as well as the video evidence as “too glaring to ignore.”
“The allegations are weighty. The videos we have seen further lend credence to the accusation and have made the affair too serious to ignore,” Onumah said.
He urged the anti-corruption agencies to rise to the occasion by going to the root of this issue and possibly document evidence for eventual prosecution of all those found culpable.
“We are aware that the hands of the anti-corruption agencies are somehow tied by constitutional immunity enjoyed by Mr. Ganduje. This, however, does not stop them from conducting preliminary investigation into the matter,” he said.
According to Onumah, nothing in Section 308 of the constitution that gives immunity to the president and governors stops the anti-corruption agencies from interrogating Mr. Ganduje in the process of the investigation.
“Cases like this serve as litmus tests for the operational independence of our anti-corruption agencies and political will of the government.
“ICPC and EFCC must thoroughly investigate these videos which have become national embarrassment and prepare ahead for eventual prosecution of Gov. Ganduje if he is found culpable,” Onumah noted.
He also commended the Daily Nigerian for the exposure as well as the contractor who recorded the clips for patriotic act of whistle-blowing.
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