Before I make my point clear for the purpose of this discourse, let me say without mincing words that I don’t condone corruption or corrupt enrichment in any way or form. As a senior journalist who is aware of what corruption has done to this country in all ramifications, I can’t begin to defend corruption or corrupt persons whether a politician or whoever. As a matter of fact, if corruption is not comprehensively tackled in this country, our nation will eventually collapse.
Indeed, I am of the view that one of the fundamental issues which caused insecurity, economic and social dislocation we face as a country now could be traced to corruption in all facets of our national life. I am also one of those who believe that the pervasive level of corruption we have seen in this country can be traced largely to politicians and their collaborators in the public service. The private sector especially, banks have their own share of corrupt tendencies but they have a way of responding to it to avoid severe consequences.
This is why our current President, Muhammadu Buhari said at the inception of his regime in 2015 that “If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria”. I agree. And if you go through the speech of the first coup plotters in 1966, one of their reasons was corruption or what they called “10% kickbacks on contracts”. Other military coups thereafter equally referred to corruption in the public space as part of their reasons. This means that corruption in Nigeria has been a recurring issue. Ironically it has continued unabated, even becoming worse.
But my question here is “Who is after Senator Ike Ekweremadu”. I am not here to defend him on the alleged corrupt enrichment through various property acquisition at home and abroad. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to me has the mandate to question anyone they suspect has enriched himself or herself through corrupt practices.
But why should anyone think that this is the right time to resurrect Ekweremadu’s case in the court. A time he is not in a position to respond to the queries placed on the properties alleged to be his own.
I remember that this case came to public knowledge about four years ago when certain properties at home and abroad said to be product of corruption was traced to him. I am also aware that he denied the charges. And it is the court that will declare him innocent or guilty.
At a point it was said he was arrested by EFCC but he denied it. Since then, the matter seemed to have been kept in abeyance or perhaps rested. But surprisingly a few days ago it was announced that a court in Abuja has given order for the interim forfeiture of 40 properties said to belong to Ekweremadu both at home and abroad just few days to his next court appearance in the United Kingdom (UK) on alleged organ harvest.
Why now? Why not wait to see how his case in UK will go since Ekweremadu, to my understanding, is not the kind of person that will run away from Nigeria. Indeed, one of the reasons the UK court is said to have denied him bail for a bailable offence is fear that he might take a flight to Nigeria. A precedent set by two former governors from Nigeria who had a case of money laundering to answer in UK.
I should think Ekweremadu’s problem or concern now is not about any property anywhere in the world but how to extricate himself from the current case in the UK.
But Ekweremadu needs sympathy and prayers at this point on his current travail in the UK not another issue that could add to his current trauma. We are all humans. At times, problem of this world could visit anyone in torrents and quick succession. But it is not always the end of world for those who endure and have their faith in God.
-Nwanze, a Media Consultant, wrote from Abuja