By Chisaa Okoye
The Apex Socio-cultural organization of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reopen the N7.1bn fraud case involving the Chief Whip of the 9th Senate and a former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Speaking to Journalists in Abuja, shortly after the appearance of a former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha in court over N3.1billion money laundering charge, Comrd. Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the National President of OYC, also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to launch “Operation Financial Crime clean-up” in Nigeria.
Igboayaka, who bemoaned the impunity enjoyed by political office holders who steal public funds, stated that “criminals ought to pay for their crimes”.
The Council stated that the best thing President Muhammadu Buhari would do for Nigerians that would leave an indelible mark is to jail all political looters and criminals in Nigeria before he leaves office in 2023.
He attributed corrupt politicians who are guilty of embezzlement and all other forms of misappropriation of public’s funds amidst impunity to the regular fully armed criminals who steal without minding the consequences of their crime.
According to the Igbo youth leader, “a government that is devoid of corruption is that goverment that has outright, zero tolerance for crime and criminality, irrespective of whose ‘ox is gored’.”
He explained that part of the reasons for the extant agitations by Pro- Biafrans is that the governors from Igbo extraction looted the local government funds meant for rural development since 1999, and left the people in abject penury.
He said: “The likes of Orji Uzor Kalu is the reason for unemployment, poverty and insecurity in the Southeast. The evidence of what is happening in the East today is remote cause of Orji Uzor Kalu mal-administration. There’s no doubt that Abia State is the most backward state in the Southeast, courtesy of Orji Uzor Kalu.”
Furthermore, Igboayaka queried the EFCC under the then leadership of Ibrahim Magu to explain to Nigerians on what basis he released Orji Uzor Kalu, stressing that principle and ethics of EFCC were compromised.
“We can’t continue to live in a Country of drama over serious matters treated with levity. It’s truism that Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu was facing a trial with two others on alleged 1.7bn fraud, yet the case was swept under the carpet.
“Unfortunately, we’re living in a Country where few individuals have looted the economic life-span of Nigeria yet they move freely in public places. In a sane civil society, the likes of Orji Uzor Kalu shouldn’t be walking freely, after being found guilty of mismanagement of Abia State local government funds.
“I, therefore, call on Abdulrasheed Bawa, the fourth respected Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to quickly revisit Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu’s N7.1 billion naira fraud to give justice a face of justice.
“With the greed and primitive looting that characterized the person of Orji Uzor Kalu, I urge Abdulrasheed Bawa to undergo a fresh financial investigation on the past financial activities of Abia State under the then leadership of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu beginning from 1999 to 2007 when he was the governor of Abia.
“I also appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to keep a lasting historical legacy by jailing all political criminals in Nigeria”, Igboayaka pleaded.