President Bola Tinubu has been urged to make public the reports on the investigations into some high-profile corruption cases in the country.
On Sunday, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption made the call in Abuja amidst the plans by some to stage protests against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) across the Federation.
The Convener of the group, Mr Bashir Abdulganiu, said in a statement that releasing the reports of the findings became necessary against the backdrop of insinuations that the planned protests might have been sponsored by some individuals under the radar of the anti-graft agency.
“Nigerians deserve to know the outcome of some high profile corruption cases currently under investigation by the EFCC especially now that the commission is crying foul over the attempts by some miscreants to stage a public protest against the commission.
“The investigation into the allegations of corruption levelled against the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Beta Edu, and former governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello, needs to be made public for us to ascertain with certainty those behind the stage-managed protests against the EFCC.”
The Coalition expressed worry that not much had been heard about the case involving Edu even as the suspended minister is already hinting at the possibility of returning to power.
It noted, “It has been six months since the President removed Edu from office amidst allegations of a cumulative ₦3billion scandal and other unwholesome activities, yet the nation remains in the dark about the outcome of the subsequent investigation.
“With the EFCC pointing accusing fingers at some Nigerians under investigation for its current predicament, it is imperative to ask what exactly became of her investigation and how it fits into the present puzzle.
“Could she and other persons under the EFCC radar be staging a subtle attack on the commission in a bid to discredit it and save face?”
The coalition urged Tinubu to do everything within his power to protect his legacy by making the findings on some of these investigations public to authenticate his fight against corruption and fill the vacancy created by the suspended minister.
It added, “As Nigerians, we need to know what is happening because the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has the potential to eradicate the suffering and hardships Nigerian citizens are currently passing through.
“It will be a big blow on the credibility of this administration if Nigerians are perpetually kept in the dark over sensitive issues like this.
“It is even worrisome that we have been inundated with rumours to the effect that Edu is already telling her close allies that she has a close relationship with the President and as such, there’s no cause for alarm.”
