Activists in Abuja and Lagos yesterday began a campaign to pressure the Federal Government to begin the trial of officials indicted in the petrol subsidy scam exposed by the House of Representatives.The House ended a debate on the Faruk Lawal-committee report last week, and forwarded the 63 recommendations to President Jonathan, including the demand for prosecution of indicted officials.In Abuja, activist groups yesterday held a national symposium on the House subsidy report, which implicated the board of the NNPC headed by Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke and the defunct board of the PPPRA under Ahmadu Ali.Speakers at the event, organised by activists coalition N-Katalyst, urged the Federal Government to take immediate steps to implement the subsidy probe recommendations.In Lagos, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Save Nigeria Group leader Tunde Bakare issued a two-week ultimatum for the government to begin the process of prosecuting officials indicted in the subsidy scam or face demonstrations.One of the speakers at the Abuja symposium, Dr Otive Igbuzor, the executive director of African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, said the House report exposed a lot of deceit by government officials on the subsidy regime.'The report from the House shows the high level of irresponsibility of the political elite and businessmen in this country. It is clear that their behaviour and conduct is not even in their enlightened self-interest because the level of looting that is going on is not sustainable,' he said.'It is clear to us that the fuel subsidy corruption has introduced a new trend to corruption in Nigeria. In the past corruptible transactions was mainly through contract inflation, over invoicing and receiving of kickbacks. But the fuel subsidy corruption witnessed situations where people collect subsidy payments without making any supplies.'Therefore, as we map out strategies to fight the fuel subsidy corruption, we must be aware that corruption is going on in other sectors of the economy. This fight must therefore be a part of a larger fight to rid our country of corruption,' he added.For his part, Yemi Candide-Johnson (SAN) urged the Attorney General of the Federation to lead the fight against corruption and ensure successful prosecution of corruption cases.Other speakers at the event were Dr Hussaini Abdu, Country Director of the Action Aid Nigeria; Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, who was represented by Udo Jude Ilo; and Bashir Ibrahim.The event was chaired by Mrs Maryam Uwais.Soyinka, Bakare issue deadlineAt the Save Nigeria Group office in Lagos yesterday, SNG leader Bakare and Soyinka called for a trial that would not spare anyone irrespective of their status.They said if President Goodluck Jonathan failed to announce the steps he would take to begin the trial of those indicted, they will spearhead demonstrations that would be bigger than those witnessed in January.'I have studied the figures revealed by the probe and I pinch myself to be sure that I am really living in the real world,' Soyinka said.'Nigerians are being bludgeoned into sensitivity by sheer excessive corruption by public officials. We are being treated, not even as second class citizens, but excessively dehumanised,' he added.He said that Nigerians must be ready to come out and demand an end to the insolence of corruption to which they have been subjected for long.The Nobel Laureate said that further inquiries on the subsidy scam must be made public and televised live.'An open examination of what is going on is what is needed now. Let us see those involved attempt to exonerate themselves from this guilt,' he said. Soyinka urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to immediately launch the prosecution of all those involved to prevent Nigeria from being a laughing stock in the world.'So far, we have not heard any of the figures disputed by relevant government parastatals in the oil industry. The facts on ground are enough for the EFCC and ICPC to establish a prima facie case against those indicted,' he said.Earlier in a written text of their stand on the issue, Bakare queried how Nigeria spent N3 trillion in 2011 above the N245 billion budgeted for subsidy the same year, as revealed by the probe.'If in the next two weeks concrete steps are taken by the government to put those indicted on trial, we'll wait; but if not, we will embark on the second phase of our march against corruption in this country,' he said.'If people realize what N3 trillion can do in the life of a nation, it would not be difficult to understand why we must kill corruption lest it kill us all as it is systematically doing already,' he added.Bakare commended the House of Representatives for its consideration and adoption of the subsidy probe report in a record time of two days.'This shall go down in history as one act of redemption by a chamber of the National Assembly that has not done much since 1999, to endear itself to the people it represents,' he said.He said that the time had come to save Nigeria from the grip of corruption, warning that the SNG would call the people out for massive protests if those indicted were not seen to be prosecuted speedily.Also speaking, Okei Odumakin, the President of Women Arise, a non-governmental organisation, said that all those indicted by the probe must be prosecuted.Odumakin said that institutionalised stealing must not be allowed to continue and the people must come out against corruption.'The resources belong to all Nigerians. Nigerians, therefore, must be strong hearted and determined to take back what belongs to them,' she said.
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