SERAP Seeks Probe Of Missing $15bn, N200bn Oil Revenue In Buhari’s Govt
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sought the constitution of a panel by President Bola Tinubu to look into the disappearance of $15 billion in oil revenues and N200 billion allocated for refinery repairs from 2020 to 2021 by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare stated the urgency of the panel to investigate the alarming allegations, which have been meticulously documented by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
Oluwadare urged the President to take decisive action by publicly identifying and condemning individuals suspected of being involved in the misappropriation of these public funds.
He called for the swift prosecution of those responsible and the complete recovery of any illicitly obtained proceeds. This move, SERAP contends, is essential for upholding transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in the nation.
The statement reads, “There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these serious allegations. Taking these important measures would end the impunity of perpetrators”.
He further expressed, “As President and Minister of Petroleum Resources, your office ought to be concerned about these damning revelations, by getting to the bottom of the allegations and ensuring that suspected perpetrators are promptly brought to justice, and any missing public funds fully recovered”.
“Any failure to investigate these grave allegations, bring suspected perpetrators to justice, and recover any missing public funds would have serious resource allocation and exacerbate the country’s debt burden”.
“It would also create cynicism, suspicion, and eventually citizens’ distrust about the ability of your government to combat high-level official corruption, as well as deter foreign investment and limit growth and development”.
“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures were taken within seven days of this letter’s receipt and/or publication. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest”.
“The findings by NEITI suggest a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], national anticorruption laws, and the country’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.”
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