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ACTIONAID seeks trial of suspects in Malabu, Halliburton scandal

By Nkechi Onyedika-Ugoeze and Collins Olayinka (Abuja)
20 April 2017   |   4:16 am
Atuluku stressed that it was worried that no body has been punished in Nigeria for their involvement in the Halliburton scandal, even though their foreign collaborators were indicted in the USA.

•Group cautions lawmakers against summoning Jonathan

ACTIONAID Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to prosecute the suspects in the Shell-Malabu bribe scandal, as well as the Halliburton saga. In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Actionaid Country Director, Ojobo Ode Atuluku said it was unacceptable that the international community was more concerned in unearthing the alleged fraud than Nigeria.

Atuluku said the renewed call for investigation and prosecution became necessary following a recent report by an anti-corruption group, Global Witness. The report “Shell Knew” has made it compelling for all suspects in the scandal to be prosecuted, because it brought the country to ridicule before the comity of nations.

Atuluku stressed that it was worried that no body has been punished in Nigeria for their involvement in the Halliburton scandal, even though their foreign collaborators were indicted in the USA.

The group said a proper investigation would further help to identify all persons involved in the initial allocation, revocation and payment of fees. According to Atuluku: “It is a disservice to the country’s citizens for the Federal Government to do little or nothing to protect the interests of the generality of the poor in the ownership, management and use of the country’s resources.

“ActionAid had in 2016 published a report Leaking Revenue in which Shell, ENI and other oil giants were revealed to have been involved in massive tax deals of about $3.3 billion.”

She alleged that there had been massive corruption and diversion of wealth from employment generation sectors of the economy, which has made poverty reduction difficult to achieve.

“The politicisation of corruption by the government, in which some indicted or convicted people were given state pardon and rehabilitation has weakened the fight against corruption. Also, the shielding of public officials from facing corruption charges has not helped matters,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Advancement Front (NAF) has warned the National Assembly against inviting former President Jonathan over the Malabu deal. The National President of the group, Dr. Ikiomasi Wakama said doing so could increase militancy in the region.

He flayed the alleged vilification of the ex-president and the various attempts to humiliate him.

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