SERAP To PMB: Address Nigerians On Seized N13bn

Civil society organisation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to consider addressing the country on the recovered $43.4m, N23m and 27,000 (N13bn) in order to resolve lingering doubts among Nigerians regarding the real owner(s) of the seized cash.Sequel to the aftermath of the controversy surrounding who owns the $43.4m, N23m and 27,000, the Lagos based radical human rights group also asked the Federal Government to ensure legal backing whistle-blowing policy by vigorously pursuing its passing by the National Assembly, of the Whistle-blower Bills.The orgsnisation, which said this in a statement issued in Lagos and signed by its executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, insisted that, The governments increasing reliance on whistle-blowers tips to fight corruption has to be backed by some level of transparency and accountability in the real identities of those claiming recovered cash.Apart frim other people speculated to be the owners of the monies discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos both Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has also reportedly claimed ownership of the cash, thereby casting doubts on the real claimants.SERAP in it statement maintained, Clearing the doubts surrounding the real identities of those behind the Ikoyi cash haul would demonstrate that the president values transparency over secrecy, provide further encouragement to blow the whistle on governmental corruption, and enhance the public right to know.Democracy abhors secrecy, and for Nigerians to be able to hold elected leaders accountable, they must have access to information such as on the real identities of those behind the Ikoyi cash haul.This transparency is fundamental to the operation of the governments whistle-blower policy, and inextricably rooted in the notions of good governance and the rule of law under the 1999 Nigerian constitution (as amended).No good comes from secrecy in governance, as officials who have become accustomed to operating without accountability are loath to relinquish the power that comes from conducting their business without public scrutiny.When public authorities resist efforts to shine a light on their activities, it gives the impression that there is something to hide.Its counter-productive to overstate national security based secrecy needs, as secrecy encourages poorly informed and under-vetted decision-making.Public scrutiny is a prerequisite for changing harmful, entrenched practices, it added.
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