Presidential candidates tasked on pending oil subsidy cases

By Stella Omona, Snr Correspondent, Abuja

Participants at a two-day workshop on monitoring and reporting of oil subsidy fraud/corruption cases in Nigeria have called on political parties and their presidential candidates to mainstream the issues of oil subsidy corruption into the campaign issues.

The workshop was organised by Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), with support from Justice for All (J4A), as part of “Advocacy against impunity in oil subsidy regime in Nigeria,”

A communiqué issued at the end of the workshop reads: “Political parties and presidential candidates should explain to Nigerians what they would do to pending cases of suspected oil subsidy thieves and recovery of monies they allegedly defrauded.

“EFCC and the police should also investigate those who checked and released such monies to the suspects and the role of authorising officers in various MDAs connected to oil subsidy regime in Nigeria.”

They also urged the judiciary to expeditiously adjudicate all pending criminal matters relating to oil subsidy fraud/corruption and bring all erring persons to justice, as justice delayed was justice denied.

“Federal Government should make our industries and government systems work to end corruption in the oil industry.

“The National Assembly should pass the Petroleum Industry Bill before the end of the lifespan of the current National Assembly.

“The EFCC and Special Fraud Unit (SFU) should be properly financed and resourced to execute their mandates of thoroughly investigating and prosecution of suspects,” it noted.

They equally advocated creation of specialised courts for oil subsidy criminal offences as well as other corruption cases as canvassed by many Nigerians.

“The Federal Government should make the judiciary independent and let the judiciary get their resources on the first line charge as being demanded by judiciary workers.

“Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and that of the Minister of Justice should be separated to promote speedy dispensation of justice.”

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