Abuja – Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has issued a plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him not to allow former and current high-ranking officials appointed by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari to evade justice for alleged abuses of power. In a statement released in Abuja, Frank highlighted individuals whom he believed should face scrutiny from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Among those mentioned by Frank were former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva; former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; former Attorney-General for the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; and Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.
Additional individuals listed by Frank included former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq; former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman (now appointed Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Policy Coordination); former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hammid Ali; Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Jamo; former Managing Directors and Sole Administrators of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); and the former and immediate past Service Chiefs appointed by Buhari.
According to him “Nigerians know how agencies managed or still being managed by these former and present government officials were run in the most opaque and corrupt manner. The President has no choice but to demand accountability on behalf of the people.
“The suspension and arrest of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, and Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdul Rasheed Bawa have been hailed by Nigerians but this is just a tip of the iceberg; the President must not let his anti-corruption drive stop with these two individuals.
“Those that must be investigated and prosecuted are still running free out there and the earlier they are rounded up and made to face the law for economic sabotage, the better for this country. Besides, some of them have already found their way into the present administration like Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman.
“There is further intelligence that others like her are currently lobbying cabal around Tinubu to get a soft landing or better still find their way into the administration by way of appointment.”
In his capacity as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, Frank emphasized the importance of holding these individuals accountable for their alleged actions. He called on President Tinubu to ensure that justice is served and that no one is allowed to evade responsibility for any abuses committed while in office.
Frank’s plea highlights the growing demand for accountability and transparency within the Nigerian political landscape. The statement serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to address alleged corruption and misuse of power, urging authorities to thoroughly investigate these claims and take appropriate action.
