President Buhari
From Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
The Freedom of Information Coalition in Nigeria (FOICN) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to ensure that individuals appointed into his cabinet declare their assets before they are sworn-in.
National Coordinator of the Coalition, Walter Duru, made the call in an interview with journalists in Calabar on Sunday. Duru said that proper assets declaration by public appointees would set the tone for effective citizens’ monitoring of activities of public office holders in Nigeria.
Duru, who commended the President for his insistence on running a transparent administration, urged him to start with “an internal cleansing” of his cabinet in order to set a good example. He also urged the President to take urgent steps to sanitise anti-crruption agencies in Nigeria.
The group also appealed to Buhari to adopt the Conference Committee Report on the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre-NFIC Bill, which has not been passed by the outgoing House of Representatives.
“The President must ensure that all those to work with him declare their assets openly to enable Nigerians monitor them. It is unfortunate that our anti-graft agencies are not living up to expectations.
“The EFCC has not impressed Nigerians. The Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal are not working. The Code of Conduct Tribunal has not sat for about three years now. Is it that no public office holder in Nigeria has breached public confidence and thrust? The ICPC can perform better. The surest way forward is a total overhaul of the anti-graft agencies.
“All the corrupt elements must be shown the way out and of course, prosecuted. The Police must return to the Barracks and allow the EFCC space to function.Having over 700 Policemen in the employ of EFCC is unacceptable. A mechanism should also be put in place to monitor the activities of the anti-graft agencies.
To strengthen the country’s anti-corruption war, President Buhari must throw his weight behind the passage of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Center, Proceeds of Crime and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bills. These are relevant legislations that will close the gaps in the country’s anti-corruption war,” Duru stated.
The group also alleged that public institutions under the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government had yet to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. According to Duru such attitude should be regarded as act of impunity.
He said the Coalition is determined to ensure enforcement of the Act demand by Nigerians for accountability in governance. Duru appealed to Nigerians to take advantage of the Freedom of Information Act to check the activities of public institutions in Nigeria.
“The Coalition, in partnership with other stakeholders is working on a holistic strategy aimed at increasing awareness, capacity building and enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act. We shall also ensure that public institutions comply with the proactive disclosure obligations under the FOI Act,’’ he said.
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