The Nigeria Labour Congress at the weekend said the ‘plea bargain’ between former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was not an acceptable alternative to a formal conviction of the culprit.
Speaking in Abuja during the inauguration of a 40-member Commission to review the operations of the NLC in the last 30 years, the Congress’ President, Comrade Abdulwahed Ibrahim Omar said such deal by the EFCC fell short of the expectations of discerning Nigerians.
He also said that the ‘Plea Bargain’ as a means of getting the arraigned corrupt ex-governors off the legal hook adopted by the Commission was not transparently done and for it to be popular, the terms and conditions of the deal must be deposited at the domain of Nigerians public conscience.
He said the option of plea bargain cannot be an alternative to formal conviction which will afford Nigerians the opportunity to know the truth as well as the funds recovered in the process.
Omar argued that the anti-corruption war would be undermined if those who have stolen public funds were not at least exposed.
While commending the anti-graft body for its tough stance against the scourge of corruption in the country, the NLC leader appealed to the judiciary to ensure that nothing was done to impede the cause of justice on the corruption trials.
In addition, Omar joined calls on all other public officers to take a cue from President Umaru Yar’Adua and declare their assets publicly.
It therefore advised the Commission not to limit its searchlight on former governors, but to spread its drag-net to bring all corrupt former public office holders in the last 8 years to book.
The congress said it is making the call against the background of concerns expressed by Nigerians that the scope of the battle against corruption should be made more comprehensive and not to be seen as selective.
According to him, the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, had once admitted publicly that the commission has enough evidence to clamp corruption charges against 30 state governors in the last dispensation.
“As far as NLC is concerned, nothing can justify the fact that many of the ex-governors have still not been arraigned”, he said.
Aug52007