Former governors acc-used of corruption by the Economic and Fin-ancial Crimes Com-mission (EFCC) will have to squarely face the law, as the Presidency has no plans to interfere in the judicial process, President Umaru Musa Yar�Adua has said.
In an interview yesterday with journalists in New York, United States, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly meeting for the first time, Yar�Adua restated that he was committed to allowing justice run its course in the case of former governors accused of looting the treasury.
Asked if he was under pressure to intervene on their behalf, the President said: �I cannot use my position as President to interfere or to obstruct the course of Justice. They won�t ask me to interfere because they know me very well.�
On whether he gives audience to former governors who might use the opportunity to plead their case, Yar�Adua stated: �Why should I avoid seeing anybody, why should I run away from them?�
On efforts to tackle corruption, Yar�Adua said his administration had strengthened the anti-corruption agencies in addition to emphasising respect for the rule of law. The president said the fiscal responsibility law and the public procurement act were passed into law within his first 100 days in office, in line with his commitment to the anti-corruption war.
Asked to comment on the indictment of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Olubunmi Etteh by a panel set up to investigate corruption allegations against her, the President said he would respect the independence of the legislative arm of government. �One stand I have taken is to respect the absolute independence of the judiciary and legislature. Since I took office in May, I have never interfered in the judiciary. The House of Representatives will take steps according to the law.�
Yar�Adua painted a positive picture of the Niger Delta, stating that kidnapping of oil workers had drastically reduced owing to measures initiated since he assumed office. �This relative security has seen the rise in oil production to about 400,000 barrels per
day, according to information made available last week.�
Yar�Adua said his government�s foreign policy goals would revolve around promoting peace in troubled African countries. �Nigeria will strongly support the African Union (AU) which has our military as the largest contingent. African Heads of State are also making efforts to convince Darfur rebels to return to the negotiating table.�
The President restated the need for the expansion of the Security Council to include an African State.
He said it was appalling that while a lot of the issues deliberated on during the week – malaria, HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis – by the five permanent members of the Council affected Africa most, the Continent was not represented at the forum. �This is an abnormality which must be corrected,� he said.
The United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Depart-ment of State, Jendayi Frazer had on Thursday pointed out that countries applying to become members of the Council must meet certain criteria such as being fully democratic, responsible and stable. In response to that, Yar�adua said �electoral reforms in any country including Nigeria are not magical�.
He said Nigeria was undergoing such reforms for the first time in the nation�s history, adding that the pace is �appreciable.� On a lighter mood, the President asked why Nigeria was usually called upon to take up peace-keeping responsibilities but given excuses when it concerns representation at the Council.�
Perhaps, in line with his resolve not to protect corrupt ex-governors, The Federal Government on Thursday seized some identified properties of the former governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani.
This is sequel to an order of the Federal High Court, Lagos, obtained by the EFCC to effect the take over the governor�s properties.
Among the properties confiscated were Rai-nbownet Telecommu-nications Limited, Cosmo FM Station, Capital Autos and Renaissance Hospital, all located in Enugu. Other investments located in Nnamani�s village, Agbani, included Renaissance University, Mea Mater College and those which could not be identified as at the time of filing this report, according to sources, will soon beconfiscated
Sep292007