Hypocritical EFCC targets SW despite former Service Chiefs' alleged involvement in $1bn loot

The EFCC's unprovoked probe into former Lagos State governors, Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola has raised concerns about a plot by the state agency to discredit and soil the names of these high-ranking political figures from the South West.

The targetted yet unsurprising probe of Tinubu, obviously because of his presidential ambitions has once again proven the disparity in Nigeria's politics. The Fulani-led government fears the agenda of a president from the South more especially South West might dilute the already exiting Northernisation policy birthed by Ahmadu Bello and the Federal character birthed by the flawed 1999 constitution.

All the probes into Tinubu's time as governor of Lagos State is a ploy to derail his presidential aspirations in 2023.

The unusual and surprising probe into Babatunde Raji Fashola, Tinubu's successor came as a shock to many. The former governor of Lagos State who by all standards performed incredibly well between 2007 and 2015 has been placed in the like of fire because of his links to APC National leader.

Like Tinubu, Raji Fashola is also been investigated for alleged corrupt practices.
The Platinum Post said in its report that Fashola was interrogated by the EFCC over corrupt practices tied to his questionable asset declaration and an ongoing probe of Babatunde Fowler, the disgraced former chairman of the FIRS.

Officials familiar with the works minister’s ordeal told the Gazette he was called in for questioning after detectives were tipped off about his involvement in Mr. Fowler’s loot during his days as the head of Lagos Inland Revenue Service and most recently at the FIRS.

Mr. Fashola has denied all the charges of corruption. He later urged officials to ensure a thorough investigation of the matter before dragging his name into it, officials said.

Such inquiries, probes, or investigations are indeed needed, however, the same speed in applying the laws should apply to other top government officials especially those of Northern alienation who have been alleged to be caught in a web of corruption.

To date, it is hypocritical that neither the Presidency nor EFCC have called in the former service chiefs who have been accused of sharing and squandering the $1billion set aside by President Buhari for the purchase of security apparatus to fight against elements terrorizing some part of the country.

Sahara Reporters in its findings learned that the $1billion release, which was greeted with widespread criticisms when President Buhari announced so in April 2018, was approved by the National Assembly and shared with the military arms in 2019 without public knowledge to avoid more criticisms.

The administrations of the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai (retd.), his contemporary in the air force, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (retd.), and navy, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (retd.), received the funds but they deliberately chose not to make public knowledge of it.

SaharaReporters gathered from sources in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation that about $900million had since been released to the military.

From that sum, $496million was released from the ECA to the air force for the purchase of Super Tucano aircraft from the United States. The aircraft were being expected in 2022.

Also, about $381million was released to the army and navy for the purchase of critical equipment.

Days ago, the National Security Adviser, Maj Gen Babagana Monguno (retd.), raised an alarm that funds meant for the purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram and other security challenges in the country were missing. Although under pressure, he later recanted that he was misquoted, according to Sahara Reporters.

In an interview he granted to the BBC Hausa, Monguno had said, “We don’t know where the money went to. The president has given out some money for equipment but they are yet to arrive. The president has done his best by ensuring that he released exorbitant funds for the procurement of weapons that are yet to be procured, they are not there. Now the president has employed new hands that might come with new ideas.