A civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has lauded the conviction today of Chief Olabode George and four others on 35 out of 63 corruption charges against them, describing this “as an important development in the fight against political corruption and impunity of perpetrators in the country.”
Those charged with Chief Olabode George were: Aminu Dabo, Captain O. Abidoye, Alhaji Abdulahi Aminu Tafida, Alhaji Zanna Maidaribe and Engr. Sule Aliyu.
Chief George was found guilty of fraud concerning his tenure as the chairperson of the board of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA). Chief George and the other defendants were sentenced to two and a half years in prison without an option of fine.
A Lagos State High Court, Ikeja division, presided over by Hon. Justice Joseph Oyewole gave the judgment on charges of contracts splitting and inflation, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
SERAP in a statement dated 26 October 2009 and signed by its Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni, stated that, “While we are still studying the judgment to enable us give a full and reasoned response, the news that a high ranking member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been convicted of corruption is a welcome development and one that would contribute to strengthening the rule of law, ensuring justice to the victims of political corruption, and eroding a culture of impunity of the country’s leaders.”
“Impunity arises and thrives when there is a lack of accountability among high ranking government officials, whether past or present. A widespread culture of impunity under which leaders’ abuses are neither investigated, exposed, prosecuted nor sanctioned have for many years left victims without effective remedies,” the group further stated.
The group also said that, “it is now time for this government to ensure full accountability for political corruption irrespective of the status or political connection of those involved. This is the only way that the government can ensure full compliance with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international anti-corruption and human rights obligations and commitments, including under the UN Convention against Corruption and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights both of which Nigeria has ratified.”
“Human rights law requires that those responsible for human rights violations include acts of corruption, will be judged and that the victim will obtain a remedy for damage suffered. This right to a remedy is one of the basic pillars of the rule of law and democratic society. Therefore, it is important for the government to ensure full recovery of the stolen funds in this case, and ensure the funds are transparently spent and not re-stolen or mis-managed. Recovered stolen money should be used to address the gross under-funding and inadequate management of the health services; the deterioration of infrastructures in the educational system,” the group added.
“This case also demonstrates that working closely together, the civil society, including human rights and anti-corruption groups and the media can achieve a lot and contribute to ending the entrenched culture of political corruption in the country,” the groups further added.
The trial started on August 15, 2008, when the defendants were arraigned before Justice Joseph Oyewole on a 163 count-charge of conspiracy, disobedience to lawful order, alleged inflation of contracts and contracts splitting. However, after the commencement of the case, the EFCC prosecuting the case amended the 164 count-charge, reducing it into only 63 around the same categories of offences. When their pleas were taken they all pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
The group has consistently expressed concern that incidents of high level corruption in Nigeria is deepening poverty in the country, contributing to the systematic violations of internationally recognised social and economic rights of the citizens, including the rights to food, health, and education.
Signed
Adetokunbo Mumuni
Executive Director
26/10/09
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