The Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre (HEDA), has commended the office of the Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice for what it called “the timeous and prompt nature” of the prosecution of the Honorable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen over alleged non-declaration of assets before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
The non-governmental and non-partisan human rights and development organization however said the same speed must be applied in prosecuting other government officials with corruption cases investigated by the anti-government agencies.
HEDA chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, in a letter to the AGF challenged the government to commence immediate prosecution of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and former Director General of Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayodele Oke over alleged corruption scandals.
HEDA also threatened to institute legal action against the AGF after 30 days if the Minister failed to begin the prosecution of the above listed suspects.
The NGO insists the prosecution of the officials would set a standard that the law is to be upheld ultimately to setting same as a deterrent to future perpetrators.
“As part of our mandate of promoting accountability in governance and monitoring compliance of anti-corruption agencies with their mandate in ensuring fair prosecution of the fight against corruption without element of bias against only political opposition, we demand urgent and immediate prosecution of the principal suspects in the Babachir Lawal and Ambassador Oke scandal with immediate effect”, the statement added.
