BEVERLY HILLS, May 24, (THEWILL) – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to refer former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan to face anti-graft agencies over alleged mismanagement of $16 billion earmarked for power projects.
THEWILL recalls that President Buhari had on May 22 accused Obasanjo of spending $16 billion on power projects during his tenure as the President without corresponding power supply to Nigerians.
Responding, Obasanjo said he was already cleared of any wrongdoing concerning the power sector by the National Assembly and referred Buhari to his autobiography, My Watch, which he said reproduced various reports on the matter.
However, SERAP’s Executive Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, in a statement urged President Buhari to “urgently refer the allegations of mismanagement of $16 billion power projects between 1999 and 2007 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further investigation.
“If there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence, for anyone suspected to be involved to face prosecution.”
Mumuni requested Buhari not to limit the EFCC and ICPC to allegations of the $16 billion power project funds but also the N11 trillion earmarked for provision of electricity in prior administrations.
“Refer to the EFCC and ICPC not just allegations regarding the $16 billion power projects but also the alleged squandering of over N11 trillion.
“The over N11 trillion was meant to provide regular electricity supply covering the governments of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.
“It is only by pursuing all the allegations and taking the evidence before the court that the truth will be revealed and justice best served.
“This is the only way to conclusively address the systemic corruption in the power sector and an entrenched culture of impunity of perpetrators.
“Addressing impunity in the power sector should be total, this would help improve the integrity of government and public confidence and trust in their government.
“It would also serve as a vehicle to further the public’s perception of fairness and thoroughness, and to avert any appearance of political considerations in the whole exercise,” it declared.
