The Network Against Corruption and Trafficking Initiative (NACAT), has urged President Bola Tinubu to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to investigate the allegations raised against Ben Ayade, a former governor of Cross River State.
NACAT made the call at a press conference addressed by Iteveh Nur Ekpokpobe in Abuja on Monday.
Reading a statement signed by the NGO’s Executive Director, Tega Oghenedoro and Operation Manager, Stanley Ugagbe, he said, “We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consolidate on his renewed thrust for fiscal probity and governance accountability by compelling the EFCC to beam its searchlight on the financial activities perpetuated by the former Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade.
“We look forward to the kind and swift response of the Presidency as well as all requisite government parastatals, in order to avert unnecessary agitations that may degenerate to breakdown of law and order.”
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While commending the EFCC’s decision to revisit the corruption cases of former governors, the CSO however, expressed concern that, “despite the plethora of facts and figures, audit reports and account statements which indict the former Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade, as submitted to the Headquarters of the EFCC, nothing tangible is seen to have happened.”
It said it had provided the entire Cross River State account details and how monies were approved and allegedly diverted, adding that it had also highlighted the grey areas for the EFCC to focus on.
“The NACAT is hereby calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a status report as the curious Nigerian public wishes to know.
“We have all the financial crimes of past State governors from 2011 to 2023 and NACAT will be sending such petitions to the various anti-corruption agencies in due course after our audit and final investigation,” it added.
