By Adnan Tudunwada
Following public outcry, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday ordered the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to investigate “any top government officials” accused of corruption.
In the past few weeks, there have been calls for the sack of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawan and the president’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, over allegations of corruption.
Although the Presidency’s statement was not specific, minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau and Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Buratai, who were a few months ago accused of corruption, may be part of those to be investigated.
Mr. Kyari allegedly received bribe to the tune of N500million from country’s major telecomunication service provider, MTN, in order to slash a multi-billion dollar fine imposed on it by the regulator, NCC. His company was also allegedly involved in oil deals.
While Mr. Lawal allegedly awarded juicy contracts to his company from the North East humanitarian funds, the acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, is accused of corruption by the State Security Service, SSS.
In a statement titled “President Buhari will Wage War Against Corruption”, a presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said:
“The attention of the presidency has been drawn to a number of reports in the media, in which various accusations of corruption have been levelled against some top officials in the administration.
“In that regard, President Buhari has instructed the Attorney General of the Federation to investigate the involvement of any top government officials accused of any wrong-doing. If any of them are liable they will not escape prosecution”.
