The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL has commended the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for dropping 2 nominees for appointment on the Board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, ICPC because of being under investigation by the anti-graft agency.
The Executive Chairman of CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran who applauded the decision said “the Acting President by dropping the nominees for the ICPC Board who are under investigation is a precautionary and proactive step which can forestall avoidable calamity in the country’s anti-corruption drive.”
“That the two nominees dropped are under investigation by the same ICPC they are supposed to serve on its Board is clearly conflicting even though they have not been convicted of any crime. It is like the old saying, ‘prevention is better than cure’.
Following his redeploying of former Chairman of ICPC, Ekpo Nta, to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the appointment of Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye as new Head, considerations for appointments of 6 persons as Board members of the Commission were also made by Osinbajo. But the case presented a dilemma given that the agency they are to serve is indeed investigating the two of the nominees.
“Adeniran said, “We must continue to nip corruption in its buds all time. Our past lackadaisical attitude and short-sightedness in combating corruption is what has led to this unacceptable situation we are in; where the Commonwealth of the people have been systematically looted by a few who rollick in stupendous wealth while the vast majority wallow in pains and abject penury.”
“As a matter of fact the damage that would be done as a result of putting persons with such baggage as that of the affected persons on an anti-graft agency is much more grievous than any transient gains if eventually the allegations against them turn out to be true.”
“We welcome this approach and we call on the government to always be painstaking in its security checks on all appointees to forestall retrogression in the anti-corruption war and governance generally.” The CACOL Executive Chairman concluded.
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