CHRICED flays alleged use of state institutions to intimidate HEDA boss, Suraj
Olarenwaju Suraj
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has “strongly” condemned alleged “attempts by certain well-heeled individuals and interest groups to use state institutions for the sinister purpose of intimidating, harassing and silencing genuine anti-corruption crusaders demanding accountability for injustices perpetrated against the state and its citizens through acts of monumental corruption by some public officials.”
In a statement, yesterday, by Executive Director, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, CHRICED said it beggars belief that anti-corruption campaigners insisting on justice and restitution for sundry acts of looting and plundering of the nation’s scarce resources are being unduly pressured in a bid to silence them.
It said, ironically, the indicted persons, who should be answering for their actions are being pampered and protected using the institutions of the state.
CHRICED said: “This disturbing reality is apparent in the curious role currently being played by the Nigeria Police and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, which appear to have lent the weight of their institutions to desperate efforts by some indicted persons to smear and undermine frontline anti-corruption activist, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraj. One becomes worried by the vivid account presented in the Sahara Reporters’ story of October 10, 2021 on the state conspiracy on the Malabu saga, including the haste with which the case file on the alleged cyberstalking case against the activist was put together.
“CHRICED is also shocked and much dismayed at the hounding and harassment of Suraj, who has made indelible contributions as far as the fight against corruption and its destructive effects on the Nigerian polity, are concerned.
“CHRICED attests to the fact that Mr. Suraj is a courageous, and patriotic citizen who put the interest of the country above his personal comfort and convenience, by leading the Nigerian leg of the campaign to hold to account, officials who ripped the country off through the Malabu OPL 245 oil block deal.”
It said: “Those after Mr. Suraj are the direct beneficiaries of this grand scale larceny against the Nigerian people in which $1.1billion disappeared into the private pockets and bank accounts of public officials. Those monies would have gone into the treasury to fund basic services in health, education, infrastructure and other development goals. These corrupt elements, who sacrificed the interest of the country on the altar of their greed appear to have succeeded in influencing the Nigeria Police Force to recommend Mr. Suraj for prosecution by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for alleged cyber stalking.”
