By Dr. Mikail Barau
Last week, Nigeria lost one of its finest citizens in the person of Alh. Maitama Sule (Danmasanin Kano). At a time when corruption is more of a rule than exception, we must eulogise Danmasani as one of the cabinet members of Nigeria's First Republic who demonstrated that a life of selfless service was possible. Further to this, we will miss Danmasani from the view point of his acknowledged oratory which he used to inspire the nation and its citizens.
Among many service profiles of Danmasani was heading the Public Complaints Commission -he was its pioneer Chairman if my memory serves me right. This Commission was playing the role of EFCC and ICPC of today put together. I find interesting how the week Danmasani passed away coincided with three interesting controversies related to EFCC in particular and anti-corruption in general.
NIGERIA GOVERNORS' FORUM AND EFCC
The Nigeria Governors' Forum dared the EFCC to stop asking questions about the Paris Club funds released to their states. Speaking on the subject, the power nourished Chairman of the Forum threatened to write the Federal Government to warn the EFCC in what the Forum considered harassment on serving and former Governors!
THE SENATE AND EFCC
In spite of the magical clearance of its President from serial charges of corruption recently, the Nigeria's Senate wanted to push the territories of impunity further with a threat to the Federal Government on non-consideration of any of it's nominee for confirmation until the Ag. Chairman of EFCC was unseated. The perception around the country is that the Senate resort to the desperate measure because of how difficult the EFCC boss made corruption and the handling of its proceeds very difficult.
LEGISLATION ON AMNESTY FOR LOOTERS
We are so unfortunate to live a life as a nation when our National Assembly will be a place for one of its members to sponsor a bill for amnesty to treasury looters in Nigeria. If the proposed amnesty was motivated by the amnesty granted to Niger Delta militants, our message to the member from Ebonyi state who sponsored the bill and the House entertaining it is that Nigerians may not mind granting amnesty on the crime of stealing from its treasury but will never have the luxury of forfeiting the stolen treasure. Some of us will volunteer and lead a campaign for confession and handing over of the stolen wealth to the Federal Government at least to allow courts to treat cases of your colleagues out there such as Evans the Kidnapper who are not privileged to be in the house and pass a bill that would protect their interest.
CONCLUSION
I conclude with a prayer on the soul of Danmasani. May his soul rest in peace.
I also conclude with a word of advice to the Federal Government under the leadership of Ag. President Yemi Osinbanjo that an Egyptian proverb says "a shy cat makes a proud mouse'. Former President Obasanjo is still alive to be consulted on how misguided serving officials can be guided with a dynamic Federal stick.
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