Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, urging him to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to order anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations of bribery against Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State.
Ganduje had on Friday denied collecting any form of bribe from contractors.
But, the organization said if there were relevant and sufficient admissible evidences, Ganduje should face prosecution at the expiration of his tenure as governor.
The letter signed by SERAP Senior Legal Adviser, Ms Bamisope Adeyanju, noted: “Given the history of corruption in Nigeria, especially unresolved allegations of grand corruption against many state governors, your government cannot and should not look the other way regarding the allegations against Mr. Ganduje. Any allegations of bribery and abuse of power in any state of Nigeria is of concern to every Nigerian, and should therefore, be of concern to your government.
“The obligations of your government to combat corruption in Nigeria extend to all the three tiers of government, namely, the federal government, state government and local government. Although primarily a matter of concern for Kano State, the allegations of bribery against Mr Ganduje have assumed such a proportion as to become a matter of concern to the federation as a whole, and therefore, to your government.
“Taking the recommended steps would help to enhance your government’s fight against corruption and contribute hugely to promoting the public interest, the interest of justice as well as prevent any abuse of the legal process. Any failure and/or refusal to act would undermine the goal of your government’s anti-corruption fight and tacitly serve to encourage persistent allegations of corruption among many state governors to continue with almost absolute impunity.
“SERAP is concerned that growing allegations of corruption including bribery against many state governors have not been investigated and that several of the governors involved are getting away with their alleged crimes.
“We note that while a governor may enjoy immunity from arrest and prosecution, he does not enjoy immunity from investigation. Any criminal allegation against a sitting governor including Mr. Ganduje can and should be investigated pending the time the governor leaves office and loses immunity. The findings of such investigation can also be the basis for initiating impeachment proceedings against the governor.”
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