Date: 2019-05-24

The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has lauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its commencement of investigations into the alleged illegal payment of about N400 million to some members of the Kwara State House of Assembly and the State Executive Council (SEC) members shortly before the expiration of their tenure.

Mr Debo Adeniran, CACOL's Executive Chairman, in a statement issued by Kojeku Adebodun, the Centre's Assistant Media and Publication Officer, it had become a huge shame the manner at which fraud cases were being treated in the country.

He lamented that people had refused to put a stop to their greedy ways of consuming what did not belong to them, and work adequately for their legal income, adding, "It is a shameful thing that this so-called fraud is common among those who claim to be representing us."

Adeniran wondered how corrupt individuals, who claim to be representing the people could authorise payment of such a huge amount of money at the tail end of the administration, "thereby violating basic rules which stipulate that such transaction ought to be carried out through the legal and due channel, claiming that the lawmakers are entitled to severance gratuity at the end of their tenure.

"It is so shameful that they went in their own way by doing this illegally before the expiration of their tenures."

Adeniran further condemned the manner at which the 25 state lawmakers and some members of the State Executive Council (SEC) had tampered with such a huge amount of money, saying, "It is a bold step taken by the anti-graft agency in tackling the hydra-headed monster of corruption in the country."

The CACOL boss added: "We commend the EFCC for the patriotic zeal exhibited so far by its leadership in ridding the nation of the monstrous evil of corruption, while we advise against any acts that could be misconstrued for witch-hunting by providing the accused the opportunity to clear their names if they are innocent of the charges preferred against them.

"Whoever turns out culprit should be made to suffer for their wicked acts, while proceeds of the crime should be completely retrieved and repatriated to their original source, to relieve long-suffering Nigerians and serve as a deterrent to others."