Posted by By Yemi Akinsuyi on
Steering Committee of Concerned Professionals (CP), a non-governmental organisation, has lauded the recent steps taken by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and British Police, leading to the arrest and arraignment of Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State on charges of money laundering in London.
Steering Committee of Concerned Professionals (CP), a non-governmental organisation, has lauded the recent steps taken by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and British Police, leading to the arrest and arraignment of Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State on charges of money laundering in London.
The group, in a statement by its National Coordinator, John Onyeukwu, commended the action of other law enforcement agencies internationally to help bring Nigerian public officers to book, and other committed agencies of federal and state governments.
"It is our view that the sovereignty of Nigeria has not been flouted by these actions as the culprit is reported to have been travelling in his personal capacity on his standard passport.
"The charge has been made in some quarters that Nigeria has been humiliated by the arrest of the governor. Nothing could be farther from the truth, that is humiliation. What is indeed humiliation is what the ordinary person suffers everyday, living in squalid circumstances with no running water, no electricity, no hospitals or drugs, no roads, no schools for their children, yet watching their elected leaders at every level traveling first class, either in jeeps, helicopters, or state and commercial aircraft, squandering the people's money on mansions opulent beyond belief both in this country and abroad, whither in South Africa through London to Maryland."
The professionals said now that a 'big fish' was in the net, they were looking forward expectantly to the imminent trial in a country where the people could expect the police and the state prosecution to put forward a competent case as sadly Nigerians have learned not to expect from the country's legal system and law enforcement agencies.
The group, explaining further, stated that the guilt of any individual was established only after due legal process has been followed and that it would be intrigued however to hear valid reasons for sums as large as £1 million cash to be found in Alamieyeseigha's possession.
It argued that neither Bill Gates nor Tony Blair in their lives had ever seen such stupendous sums that were typically found only with drug dealers and other major figures in organised crime.
"We warn however that to avoid a misinterpretation of the efforts of EFCC, that it should immediately commence the investigation and prosecution of some past governors whom it was not able to prosecute hitherto as a result of the immunity brouhaha. Nigerians can only be reassured of the government's sincerity in fighting corruption if such persons were investigated, arrested where necessary and prosecuted without further delay".