The Centre for Public Accountability (CPA) has decried, what it described as the pollution of the 2022 National List Honor, recently released by the Federal Government, through the Minister of Special Duties, Senator George Akume, by the inclusion of some individuals, which it described, as unworthy, based on their record in the public service in the country.
The group, in a statement issued in Lagos this weekend, signed by its Director of Programs, Gbenga Ganzallo accused the Special Duties Minister, of acting in manners, that contradict the anti-corruption profile of the administration, of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The group queried the inclusion, of the former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai and Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, Dr Bashir Jamoh, in list, saying that there have been allegations, of several unresolved corruption cases, in the agency, under his leadership. The group, reminded of the allegation against Jamoh, by the Nigerian Senate, where it accused the NIMASA of allegedly paying the sum of $5mn, to a legal firm as a professional fee for the recovery of a $9.3bn loss. The said $5m, was paid for the intelligence-based tracking of a global movement of Nigerian hydrocarbon and recovery of loss by the Federal Government of Nigeria in the sum of $9.3bn between 2013 and 2014. CPA also said it is worried that the Federal Government is rewarding Buratai, despite the numerous cases of corruption, including the ongoing one, by the ICPC.
“We cannot, continue to be silent, as the country, keep rewarding persons, who are supposed to be sacked, but are rather left in office.”
The group asked President Buhari, to order an immediate review of the National Honors list, and ensure the removal, of questionable characters, some of whom, have “bought” their ways into the Prestigious National Honors. It also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to probe the activities of NIMASA, and also get involved, in sensitizing government, about the negative impression, that the inclusion of persons of questionable characters, in the National Honors list, gives to the nation’s, war against corruption.
