PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Group wants Nigeria's Lower House (National Assembly) probed over money
Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned Nigeria's Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), requesting it to “urgently begin a thorough, transparent and efficient investigation into allegations of corruption and mismanagement of the 10 billion naira (US$ 670 million) loan obtained by the leadership of the House of Representatives on behalf of the House."
Charging that "suspected perpetrators be brought to justice and any stolen public funds be recovered," SERAP, in a petition signed Thursday by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said: “we are seriously concerned that the fresh allegations are coming against the background of previous allegations of corruption, including in the purchase of vehicles at 2.3 billion naira by the House of Representatives in 2008.
“We are also concerned that the above allegations constitute grave breaches of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Act of 2000; the Public Procurement Act 2007 and the UN Convention against Corruption which Nigeria has ratified. Specifically, the UN Convention against Corruption requires states' parties, including Nigeria, to promote integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs,” the group said.
The group said “effective investigation and prosecution of the fresh allegations alongside the previous allegations of corruption in the House of Representatives would help address impunity of perpetrators, which is the single most important factor for the prevalence of high level official corruption in the country. Such impunity can be interpreted as the existence of interference of politicians to protect suspected perpetrators from prosecution.
“Addressing high level official corruption effectively would also help to reduce or eliminate low level corruption among public servants in the country,” the group noted.
It expressed “concerns that allegations of corruption by law makers would undermine the credibility of the legislative process and impede the ability of the current or future House of Representatives to effectively play its constitutional oversight role or to provide the necessary leadership in the anti-corruption fight.
"The allegations also amount to a grave breach of constitutional provisions and would undermine the constitutional role of the House of Representatives to make laws for the good and development of the country.”
According to information, the leadership of the House of Representatives took a 10 billion naira loan, allegedly without consultation with the members and the money is reportedly missing or cannot be accounted for. As a result, members’ remunerations remain unpaid.
The official bank of the House, United Bank for Africa, had reportedly withheld the second quarter allocation of all 360 members of the House and the emolument of the 11 re-admitted legislators owing to the indebtedness.
-0- PANA PR/BOS 12May2011
Charging that "suspected perpetrators be brought to justice and any stolen public funds be recovered," SERAP, in a petition signed Thursday by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said: “we are seriously concerned that the fresh allegations are coming against the background of previous allegations of corruption, including in the purchase of vehicles at 2.3 billion naira by the House of Representatives in 2008.
“We are also concerned that the above allegations constitute grave breaches of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Act of 2000; the Public Procurement Act 2007 and the UN Convention against Corruption which Nigeria has ratified. Specifically, the UN Convention against Corruption requires states' parties, including Nigeria, to promote integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs,” the group said.
The group said “effective investigation and prosecution of the fresh allegations alongside the previous allegations of corruption in the House of Representatives would help address impunity of perpetrators, which is the single most important factor for the prevalence of high level official corruption in the country. Such impunity can be interpreted as the existence of interference of politicians to protect suspected perpetrators from prosecution.
“Addressing high level official corruption effectively would also help to reduce or eliminate low level corruption among public servants in the country,” the group noted.
It expressed “concerns that allegations of corruption by law makers would undermine the credibility of the legislative process and impede the ability of the current or future House of Representatives to effectively play its constitutional oversight role or to provide the necessary leadership in the anti-corruption fight.
"The allegations also amount to a grave breach of constitutional provisions and would undermine the constitutional role of the House of Representatives to make laws for the good and development of the country.”
According to information, the leadership of the House of Representatives took a 10 billion naira loan, allegedly without consultation with the members and the money is reportedly missing or cannot be accounted for. As a result, members’ remunerations remain unpaid.
The official bank of the House, United Bank for Africa, had reportedly withheld the second quarter allocation of all 360 members of the House and the emolument of the 11 re-admitted legislators owing to the indebtedness.
-0- PANA PR/BOS 12May2011
