Thread by @SERAPNigeria

SERAP has sent an open letter to President @MBuhari requesting him to instruct Mr. @MalamiSan , Minister of Justice and AGF to take immediate steps to expeditiously, diligently, effectively and fairly prosecute high-profile corruption cases...

... and to publish details of the whereabouts of allegedly missing case files, as well as the status of prosecution of all the cases being handled by his office.

The high-profile corruption cases include 103 cases reportedly sent by @officialEFCC in 2017, and the 15 allegedly missing case files sent by the now defunct Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property, [SPIP] in 2019 to Mr Malami

The authorities’ failure to diligently and expeditiously prosecute high profile corruption cases amounts to a fundamental breach of constitutional and international obligations.

Continuing failure to prosecute these cases may create the perception of a deliberate effort to protect those considered to be very influential and powerful.

The fact that these cases have been pending for several years suggests that @MBuhari govt has not carried out its public,constitutional & international obligations, including the obligations to show that no one is above the law as far as the fight against corruption is concerned

Public interest demands that high-profile corruption cases are concluded within a reasonable time so that those guilty are punished and the innocent are set free.

The rule of law and the preservation of democracy also require that the authorities duly proceed in accordance with the law against every high-profile person suspected of grand corruption, irrespective of where he/she is placed in the political hierarchy.

SERAP is seriously concerned about the apparent inertia by the authorities to diligently and expeditiously prosecute high-profile corruption cases.

While many of these cases have been dragging before @MBuhari assumption of office in May 2015, several of the cases have not satisfactorily progressed, contrary to Nigerians’ expectations.

Speedily, diligently, effectively and fairly prosecuting high-profile corruption cases would demonstrate your government’s commitment to enhance probity in public life and willingness to enforce accountability in public life.

The basic postulate of the concept of equality: ‘Be you ever so high, the law is above you’, should be your government’s approach to high profile corruption cases'

Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] particularly section 15[5], and Nigeria’s international obligations, including under the UN Convention against Corruption...

...and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, as well as the rule of law.

We hope the aspects highlighted will help guide @MBuhari actions in acting to ensure the diligent, expeditious & effective prosecution of longstanding high-profile corruption cases, including the 103 cases & the allegedly missing 15 case files of high-profile corruption suspects

We would be grateful if @MBuhari government begins to implement the recommended action and measures within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.

If we've not heard from @MBuhari by then as to steps being taken in this direction, Registered Trustees of SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel @MBuhari govt to pursue prosecution of these longstanding high-profile corruption cases to their logical conclusion

...and to regularly report to Nigerians on the progress of prosecution

People get frustrated in the system if the process of justice is not allowed to take its normal course, more so, when apparently deliberate attempts are made to subvert and delay the process.

There is a nexus between corruption at high places in public life and threats to the integrity, welfare, security and economy of the country, as well as the rule of law.

There is therefore a clear need for an expeditious, diligent and effective prosecution of these cases, which have already been delayed for several years

Expeditious prosecution of those suspected of grand corruption irrespective of the position and status of that person is imperative to retain public confidence in the ability and willingness of authorities to prevent and combat corruption

According to our information, details of about 103 high-profile corruption cases being handled by @officialEFCC were reportedly made available in 2017 to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice upon request

Further, the case files of 15 high-profile corruption suspects are allegedly missing. The missing files are among the 23 cases reportedly sent by the now defunct Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property, [SPIP] in 2019 to Mr Malami...

... and include some charges of fraud involving some former governors and senators, as well as non-declaration of assets and possession of foreign accounts cases

SERAP therefore urge President @MBuhari to instruct Mr Malami to:

1. Explain why after several years these high-profile corruption cases have not been expeditiously, diligently, effectively and satisfactorily prosecuted to logical conclusion;

2. Take immediate and concrete steps to prosecute the cases in close cooperation and collaboration with appropriate anti-corruption agencies;

3. Publish details of the whereabouts of the allegedly missing 15 case files of high-profile individuals suspected of corruption, including the status of prosecution of the cases, as well as those of the 103 cases reportedly sent to Mr Malami;

4. Invite civil society groups and international community to monitor the prosecution of high-profile corruption cases, and to periodically report to Nigerians the status of their prosecution

By Section 1 (1) of the FoI Act 2011, and article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, SERAP is entitled as of right to request for or gain access to information, including information on the details of the whereabouts of allegedly missing 15 case files...

...of high-profile individuals suspected of grand corruption, and the status of prosecution of the cases, as well as those of the 103 cases reportedly sent to Mr. Malami.