ABUJA/Nigeria: Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to take immediate action against heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government who are known to have abused their offices through corrupt practices. Frank made this statement in response to the suspension and arrest of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, by the DSS. He believes that other heads of critical government agencies who have allegedly misused their positions and embezzled public funds should also be held accountable.
Frank specifically mentioned several individuals as examples of heads of MDAs who should be investigated and prosecuted. These individuals include the Directors General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Jamo; Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko; Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari; and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami. Additionally, he named former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; and ex-Minister of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq.
Frank emphasized that failure to arrest and prosecute these individuals would indicate that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is selectively targeting certain individuals and not addressing corruption across the board. He urged the administration to include beneficiaries of corruption proceeds from the implicated MDAs in the list of suspects to be investigated and prosecuted. He specifically mentioned the illegal allocation of oil blocks and marginal oil fields by NNPCL and the CBN’s Money Redesign Policy as areas that should be examined. He also raised concerns about the execution of the National Social Investment Programme by Hajiya Farouk, calling for transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, Frank highlighted the recent deception by Sirika regarding the Nigeria Air project, urging an investigation into the matter. He also mentioned the personal assistant to former President Buhari, Tunde Sabiu, as someone who should not be overlooked in the investigations.
Frank’s statements reflect his belief that thorough investigations and prosecutions are necessary to address corruption within the government and ensure that those who have unlawfully benefited from public resources are held accountable.
