CSOs demand EFCC chair’s resignation over Ganduje’s alleged N50b fraud

A coalition of 30 anti-corruption civil society organisations has called for the resignation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, over his alleged failure to prosecute a former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, despite multiple petitions against him on multi-billion-naira fraud and bribery allegations.

The CSOs, under the umbrella of “Global Initiative for Corruption Eradication”, also called for the immediate arrest of Ganduje, who they said had no immunity, but was allegedly enjoying the cover of the Federal Government through the EFCC.

The spokesperson for GICE, Anthony Onoja, who addressed a press conference in Abuja at the weekend, claimed: “N50 billion diverted LGA funds, dollar video and N1 billion probe seem to have all been swept under the carpet. It’s been over 2,200 days since the dollar video scandal broke and yet EFCC is silent.”

The activists urged well-meaning Nigerians and relevant international organisations to join in “stopping the EFCC from further insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians by calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Ganduje.”

“The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must resign from his position if he fails to arrest and prosecute Governor Ganduje in line with our extant laws,” he added.

“The case was adjourned to 29th April but was stalled again. No representation, no appearance. Ganduje was not present. The case was again adjourned to May 16, and on that day, arraignment was rescheduled to June 5. Still, the former governor, who no longer has immunity under our extant laws and is not above the laws of Nigeria by virtue of being the Chairman of the ruling party, did not show up. No representation still.