JONAH JANG: STOP MAKING EXCUSES, CACOL BLASTS EFCC, ICPC

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has called on the nation’s Anti-Corruption agencies to be more diligent in the execution of their duties. The call was made by the group in a press release issued today by its Executive Chairman Mr Debo Adeniran.

Reacting to the failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and Independent and Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to arraign Senator Jonah Jang and Yusuf Pam before The Plateau State High Court on Monday, the CACOL boss expressed the group’s displeasure with the turn of events leading to the delay in the prosecution of the former governor and his suspected accomplice.

Media reports had indicated that the EFCC’s reason for not producing Senator  Jang who has been in its custody for over 168 hours was due to logistical challenges while a court clerk who was queried by the presiding judge on the matter said ICPC officials refused to pick their calls when attempts were made to contact them through telephone.

CACOL’s boss further observed that the average Nigerian was aware of the “African Time Syndrome” in which important arrangements and commitments are left pending until the eleventh hour. Mr. Adeniran opined that the inability of the EFCC to carry out its duties effectively boils down to inadequate preparedness as the excuses given by the EFCC could have been easily avoided or managed if effective preparations were carried out.

According to him: “While the Centre was not pleased with the delay in prosecution and trial of the Former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, and his accomplices, it would be an unforgivable offence to condemn outrightly all the Anti-Graft Commissions for this uncalculated mistake. The EFCC’s and other various Anti-Graft Commissions and agencies have been quite pro-active in their contributions to the Anti-Corruption Struggles and their commendable efforts are evident in the various victories that have been recorded in the diligent prosecution and convictions of corrupt individuals in recent times.”

The group therefore urged the Anti-Graft Commissions to be diligent in their activities towards curbing Corruption and all its vices. “In the same light, we call on the Government to be more responsive and supportive in rendering assistance required to ensure the fight against corruption is fought holistically.”