The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) has called for an accountable investigation into the ongoing forensic probes of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in the interest of the country.
Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said on Tuesday in Abuja that though he commended the efforts of all teams working on the audit, especially the House of Representatives in response to the President Muhammadu Buhari’s order for the speedy and effective coordination among security and investigative agencies, he was concerned on the controversies surrounding the exercise.
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He berated the recent unfolding in the probe which includes the controversial attempt to arrest; allegations and counter allegations of corruption between all alleged parties; the outbursts at the investigative hearing and all other undue occurrences within the process.
“We want to use this opportunity to call on the National Assembly to wake up to their statutory and legislative responsibilities which includes responsive and responsible oversight, effective representation and law making, as well prudent constituency accountability; and not act in a manner that is tantamount to corruption.
“This will lead to loss of moral superiority and confidence to question any form of irresponsibility from other government agencies and officials,” Rafsanjani said.
He also urged the presidency and other relevant anti-graft agencies to act accordingly to institutionalize processes and culture of accountability that affirms responsible public financial management in Nigeria.
He therefore urged the National Assembly to duly and timely see to a conclusion of every allegation brought to the floor of the two chambers and not hesitate to involve the judiciary and anti-graft agencies where necessary.
He said, “It is important that these allegations, which does not speak well for our country, are resolved satisfactorily, especially as the country is battling with harsh economic realities, debilitating debt profile and faced with a desperate need to mobilize resources and effectively utilize it.”
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