The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has expressed disappointment that the latest revelation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that 32 entities stole N1.3 trillion in four years has not triggered nationwide outrage.
It said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that it is unfortunate that the humongous figure mentioned by the anti graft agency has not elicited questions and debates among Nigerians on the scandalous impunity in the public sector.
BMO said: “Although the EFCC did not mention these entities and individuals, we dare say that such a revelation would have led to public outrage in more developed countries, not to even talk about the less developed ones where people are known to have taken to the streets over less serious issues.
“But here in Nigeria, it is not a trending topic in traditional and social media, more than twenty four hours after the Commission brought the matter up.
“Sadly, we are in a situation where some people are known to have been dismissive of news reports of corrupt acts, describing them as political witch-hunt, inspite of court-ordered forfeitures and seizure of property believed to be proceeds of corruption.
“There have also been instances where some people have publicly made a case for a return of the corruption-tainted era of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on selfish grounds without a thought for the poor infrastructures and abandoned projects which were the hallmark of years of relatively high oil revenues.”
The group noted that it was gratifying that the acting EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu went to the extent of drawing attention to what N1.3 trillion of public fund could have achieved if put to good use.
“This is the best way of showing Nigerians how corruption and corrupt public officials have robbed them of better infrastructure.
“By showing that a part of the stolen from the public coffers could have comfortably provided well over 500km of roads and built over 200 schools is a nice way of outlining the high cost of corruption in a country with the type of school that little Success Adegor in the viral video was attending in Delta state.
“We also need to add that only a tiny fraction of that amount is what the Buhari administration is spending on its National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP) that about 11 million people are benefiting from.
“Maybe Nigerians need to also be told that the 1.3tn which EFCC said was stolen by 32 entities in four years is the equivalent of the combined 2019 budget of Nigeria’s oil rich states of Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom states!
“If this is not the height of political heist then we wonder what it is and we hope that the Commission would not relent in its efforts to ensure the diligent prosecution of individuals and companies behind the N1.3 trillion theft,” the group said.
BMO added that it was however encouraged by the giant strides the anti graft agencies are making under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari.
It said: “The latest is the decision of the Council of Europe to remove Nigeria from the list of high-risk countries with deficiencies in money-laundering and terrorism-financing controls.”