Rights Group Tasks FG On Speedy Investigation Of Suspended SEC DG
A Human Rights Group operating under the aegis of ‘Campaign Against Impunity’ on Thursday, urged the federal government and anti-graft agencies to speed up investigation into the allegation of gross abuse of office and recklessness leveled against the suspended Director-General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Munir Gwarzo.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, the Convener of the group, Comrade Shina Loremikan, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to quickly decide on the investigation into the activities of the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and make public, the outcome of its investigation.
The group expressed worry over the rate of impunity in the public office, saying President Muhammadu Buhari must ensure that immediate steps are taken to constitute a board for the Commission as provided for in the extant laws establishing it.
He said that the Investment and securities Act (ISA), 2007, which gives the commission its current powers, also made provision for the appointment of a nine member board to be headed by a Chairman.
Lorimikan said, “Considering the likelihood that many mere acts of impunity may have been committed unchecked under the arrangement in which Mr Gwarzo functioned as the DG of the SEC without checks from a Board, “the Campaign Against Impunity in Nigeria calls on the Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, to order a thorough audit of the finances of the Commission. We also urge the Minister to stand firm and not buckle under any pressure by the campaign of impunity being sponsored by Mr Gwarzo against her person.
“The entire process looks like an attempt to cover up impunity with blackmail. We therefore demand that Mrs. Kemi Adeosun should make public, the report of the administrative panel put in place to investigate the allegations against Mr Gwarzo. She should also direct her office to forward the report of the EFCC and the ICPC.”
The group, while urging the EFCC and ICPC that had been petitioned to decide over who will actually investigate the allegations among the two agencies said that constitution of the board would, among other things, ensure that no DG of the Commission can become a law unto himself and act with impunity without appropriate checks by the Board.
