Socio-Economic Rights
and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President
Muhammadu Buhari requesting him to use his “good offices and leadership
position to urgently refer the allegations of corruption and abuse of office
against Mr Maikanti Baru, Group Managing Director Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and
the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)
for investigation, and if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence,
for him to face prosecution.”
The organization also
urged Buhari to “suspend Mr Baru pending the referral to the EFCC and ICPC, and
the outcome of any investigation by the anti-corruption agencies in order not
to create the impression that your government is treating Mr Baru as a sacred
cow. We urge you not to allow the allegations against Mr Baru go the way of
past inconclusive investigations of allegations of massive corruption within
the NNPC.”
In the letter dated 5th
October 2017 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the
organization said that, “The allegations by Dr Kachikwu constitute grave
breaches of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Act of 2000; and the UN
Convention against Corruption (UNAC) which Nigeria recently ratified. In
particular, the UN Convention against Corruption imposes clear obligations on
Nigeria to investigate allegations of corruption such as the present one;
prosecute suspected perpetrators and ensure return and repatriation of proceeds
of corruption.”
The letter reads in
part: “SERAP is concerned that years of systemic corruption within the NNPC and
looting of Nigeria’s natural resources have had uneven consequences against the
vulnerable groups of the society, including the poor, women and children,
perpetrating and institutionalizing discrimination, and jeopardizing the needs
and well-being of future generations. If left unaddressed, the allegations by
Dr Kachikwu have the potential of undermining your government’s expressed
commitment to returning Nigeria to the path of transparency and
accountability.”
“SERAP believes that Mr
Baru’s case presents your Administration with yet another rare opportunity to
reassure a lot of Nigerians who may be worried about the direction of travel of
your anti-corruption agenda. Rather than keeping silent on the matter, we
advise you to use this case to show to Nigerians that no form of corruption
will be tolerated in the NNPC under your watch.”
“SERAP also believes the
recommended approach would help to address the growing public suspicion and
pessimism about your government’s ability to fight high-level official
corruption to a standstill, and to avoid any collateral consequences. It is
absolutely important that the public should have complete confidence and trust
in your Administration’s oft-repeated commitment to fight corruption and the
impunity of perpetrators.”
“SERAP notes the recent
allegations of corruption against Mr Baru by Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Minister
of State of Petroleum and Chairman NNPC Board. In the letter to you Dr Kachikwu
alleged among others appointments and postings in NNPC without due process;
award of contracts above $20m without following the legal and procedural
requirements for such contracts including the Crude Term contracts- value at
over $10bn; the DSDP contracts- value over $5bn; the AKK pipeline contract-
value approximately $3bn; various financing allocation funding contracts with
the NOCs – value over $3bn; and various NPDC production service contracts –
value at over $3bn--$4bn.”
To assist the government
to achieve this public confidence and trust, effectively spread the gospel of
anticorruption, and be on the right side of history, SERAP asked Buhari to
implement the following recommendations:
1.
Urgently refer the
allegations against Mr Baru to both the EFCC and ICPC for further
investigations, and if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence,
for him to face prosecution;
2.
Pending the referral to
the EFCC and ICPC, to suspend Mr Baru from his position as Group Managing
Director NNPC, pending the outcome of any investigation by the EFCC and ICPC;
Signed
Adetokunbo Mumuni
SERAP Executive Director
5/10/2017
Lagos, Nigeria
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
Telephone:
+2348160537202
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