The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), have been asked to make public the identity of the military officer involved in N10b fraud.
About three days ago, the EFFC listed a number of properties said to have been seized from a military officer who worked in the office of the NSA.
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A group, Coalition for Truth and Justice, said in Abuja, that blanket use of ‘military officer’ in corruption cases will demoralize troops.
According to the group, the whole truth should be made public.
Barrister Timothy Charles, the National Coordinator of the group, said the implication of the action of the EFCC is that it has the tendency to send the wrong signal to the military constituency, which might bring about unnecessary and unreasonable suspicion amongst military officers, and the attendant impact it might have on their productivity level.
According to Charles, ”The Coalition for Truth and Justice views the actions of the EFCC as an affront on our sensibilities by electing to act like it is unaware that the monies and the principal suspect have their origin from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
”Therefore, the coinage ‘Military Officer’ by the EFCC is bewildering because the indices are clear as regards the fact that the said military officer was acting for a powerful interest in the Office of the National Security Adviser.
”We are also alarmed that the EFFC, either by omission or commission, elected to be clever by half. But they failed to realize that their actions have the tendency to affect the psychological state of those in the trenches fighting and sacrificing themselves for the country.
”The EFCC must tell the truth to the country regarding the identity of the military officer who was able to amass properties worth billions of naira.
“It is our considered opinion that the EFCC is economical with the truth by not stating expressly that the funds used in purchasing the said properties were from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
”The Coalition for Truth and Justice is using this medium to demand the truth regarding the source of funds used in acquiring the said properties.
“The blanket use of ‘Military Officer’ is deceptive, mischievous, and a mockery of the anti-corruption crusade of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
”The EFCC must not be seen as complicit in this case. As such, it must, as a matter of urgency, reveal the identity of the military officer as well as the source of the funds used in acquiring the confiscated properties.
”It is our position that the term ‘military officer’ is an embarrassment to the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which tends to paint a picture of military officers engaging in corrupt acts, therefore, dampening the morale of our fighting troops involved in various operations across the country.
”The Coalition for Truth, as a result of this, call on all well-meaning Nigerians to demand the truth from the EFCC in this case before us in the interest of peace and tranquillity for a lot would be at stake in the country if matters like this are treated with utmost disrespect for the sensibilities of Nigerians who have continually bared the brunt of the actions of unscrupulous elements in positions of authority in the country.”
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