SENATE PROBESDOCTORED LIST
Following the unanimous adoption of an address by its President KenNamani,the Nigerian senate
is set to probe the list of
politicians indicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission allegedly doctored by the economic and financial watchdog after consideration by the
presidency.The senate is also set to a mend the law setting up the commission to give it immunity from executive manipulation.Entitled NO CORRUPT POLITICIAN IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE OTHER Mr Ken Namani explained that it was out of order forthe executive to be involved in the activities of the EFCC.
It is a clear abuse of it mandate for the EFCCto submit its list of indicted candidates to the presidency for consideration or review. Although, independent agencies are created to carry out executive functions, they not just a department of the executive branch of government. The involvement of the presidency has created a moral challenge on the Economic and FinancialCrimes Commission to justify its independence in indicting some politicians and not others who it had earlier declared to be corrupt.The allegetion of double standard and political manipulation is, unfortunately seemly supported the conpicous omission on the list of some persons who EFCC and even he Code of Conduct Bureau had earlier charged to court and Tribunal respectively for corrupt practices.Some of these persons have now been given flags as candidates for the April elections.Wemust ensure that the law does not respect the social or political pedigree or affiliation of any citizen.
Itismy sincere wish that this senate would devotetime to review the politics of the EFCC and its independence.The upper legislative house unanimously supported the review of the list of indicted politicians as well as the amendment of the law establishing the anti-graft commission.