Between jail term and returning looted funds -By Abdulbaqi Jari

President Muhammadu Buhari

Expectations were high that after the swearing in of General Muhammad Buhari, he would carry out thorough investigation of past administrations, especially Jonathan’s tenure with special interest in the alleged $20 billion missing funds, power privatization, NNPC, etc.

That is a constitutional duty and a moral responsibility. Looking into how power outage, fuel scarcity, and public funds are looted, setting up investigation, I believe, will be for the good of Nigeria. However, to carry out proper investigation, refer the matter to the courts, the trial, examination, re-examination and passing of verdict will take long time.

Perhaps some cases may even go beyond four years when the president must have exhausted his first tenure. The looters will of course hire the best lawyers to defend them. It is also possible that some of them may go scot free as the court only depends on material evidence and what the lawyers will say and present. Nigerians and the new government cannot afford to wait that long.

Government cannot have a better way of recouping stolen funds without taking the long, uncertain way. This was done by a country in southern America. Government has all the agencies: ICPC, EFCC, DSS, Police, Interpol all working in unison. Other government agencies and the private sector like the banks will be there to help.

Government can use that to identify all the looters, their associates, wives, children and find out their accounts status both in Nigeria and abroad, assets and other investments. The government will then request their account frozen. They will be contacted with all the details and advised to return looted money. Government can promise them protection if looted funds are returned. That way, government can have all the money to do all the good work it promised to Nigerians.

jariabdubaqi@gmail.com