TheCable

Itse Sagay, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC), says action has been “much too slow” concerning the report of the panel which probed Babachir Lawal, suspended secretary to the government of the federation, and Ayo Oke, director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

Oke was suspended after his agency claimed ownership of the monies discovered in an Ikoyi apartment, while Lawal was asked to step aside over his indictment for corruption by the senate committee on the humanitarian crisis in the north-east.

A panel headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was set up to investigate the duo.

The panel, which had as its members, Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, and Babagana Monguno, national security adviser, submitted its report to President Muhammadu Buhari on August 23.

More than six weeks after the submission, nothing has been heard, fuelling speculations that the matter has been swept under the carpet.

Speaking on a Channels TV programme on Sunday, Sagay said Buhari should take an immediate decision on the duo.

He, however, added that the current administration is committed to the fight against corruption.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the present government is actually fighting corruption in accordance with its mandate and promises. There is no question about that,” he said.

“But on the specific issue of the suspended secretary to the federal government and the director-general of the NIA, I would agree that action has been much too slow and there should be immediate decision on this matter so that we can put it to rest and move on. I agree with that.

“I think there is an even-handed approach to the issue of fighting corruption. Everybody who is suspected of corruption or the commission of economic and financial crimes will be investigated and the EFCC and the ICPC who are the bodies who are invested with the authority to act in such matters will act in accordance with their own priority.”

Sagay, however, said all cases of corruption cannot be handled at the same time as there are “hundreds of thousands” of such cases.

He said: “As you know, in this country, cases of corruption go right from the top and permeate to the lowest level.

“So, there are hundreds of thousands of corruption cases. It makes sense for the agencies to choose what to pick and what to drop.”