Okurounmu calls on Buhari to probe IBB, Abacha’s ministers

“If I were President Buhari, I will begin the probe and recovery of public funds from 1985 during Babangida’s regime.”Femi Okurounmu, the former secretary-general of the Yoruba socio-cultural group,Afenifere, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to start the probe from 1985 when Ibrahim Babangida was the leader of the country.He also advised the president to investigate ministers who served during the tenure of the late dictator, General Sani Abacha.Speaking with The Punch on Tuesday, February 23, Okurounmu said the foundation of corruption was laid during Abacha and Babangida’s regimes.“If I were President Buhari, I will begin the probe and recovery of public funds from 1985 during Babangida’s regime. Theregime of Babangida laid the foundation for massive corruption in public service. After Babangida’s rule, he should proceed to Abacha’s regime. Even though Abacha is dead, some of his ministers are still enjoying the ill-gotten wealth and there are evidences that can be used to indict them and get the funds back,”he said.
The senator who represented Ogun-Central in the National Assembly stressed that the recovery of public funds should not stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from jailing those who benefited from the armsfund.“When people are caught stealing public money, they must not be shielded from proper justice. When the EFCC ask the looters to return the stolen funds, and they go scot free, that is not how to fight corruption. The EFCC should not postpone their trials.“Nigeria is fond of copying things wrongly. The concept of plea bargaining was not part of our criminal justice system;it was copied from the US. I know a lot about the US. When you talk of plea bargain in the US, it does not stop those indicted of corruption from getting properand adequate punishment,”he noted.Meanwhile,the anti-graft agency is on the trail of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Damian Dodo, over £22.5million (N6.18billion) Sani Abacha allegedly hide in the Island of Jersey.“The AG of the Island of Jersey cooperated fully with the government, leading to the repatriation of the £22.5m.We want to know where the money is; we need records from those involved.“We are inviting Damian Dodo, who playeda key role in securing the £22.5m (N6.18billion) loot for the Federal Government to give the details,”the EFCCsource said.