A Civil Society Organisation, known as YIAGA, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the recent conviction of two former governors; of Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye, describing it as hood step in the right direction.
A statement signed in Abuja Thursday by YIAGA said the feat clearly shows that the fight against corruption and impunity was gradually becoming a reality, adding that it hope to see more of such thread across board.
The statement signed by it Executive Director, Samson Itodo, said corruption was a deep rooted problem which has taken its toll on the government, people, infrastructure, business and life of the average Nigerian, adding that the impact of it in the country is felt by every layer of the population.
“The war against corruption in Nigeria recorded another victory as two ex-governors were convicted for misappropriation of public funds. Jolly Nyame who was convicted by a high court of the Federal Capital Territory to refund monies diverted and serve a jail term of fourteen (14) years for diverting N1.64 billion, while Joshua Dariye was also convicted to serve a jail term of fourteen (14) years for misappropriating N1.16 billion ecological funds while he governed the state between 1999-2007.
“YIAGA Africa commends the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for this laudable stride for ensuring that justice prevailed despite the length of time involved. YIAGAAFRICA also commends Justice Adebukola Banjoko who deserves some accolades for dispensing justice without fear or favor. This shows that the fight against corruption can only succeed with the cooperation of the judiciary and sets a precedent for a string of similar pending cases.
“The convictions of Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye are a good step in the right direction and would boost anti-corruption efforts and potentially help to speed up pending cases, with the diligence of the EFCC on prosecuting these cases. We are hopeful the nation will witness more convictions of former corrupt political office holders. YIAGA Africa also wishes to urge the Appeal and Supreme Court to ensure that justice prevails at all times to restore public confidence in the judiciary
“People have to survive in the country where rules can be omitted if you have money and this has tremendously widened the gap between the poor and the rich which has led to lack of good roads and portable water, poor educational and health facilities. It is on this basis that YIAGA Africa launched the Bounce Corruption Project to among other things, urge Nigerians to support the anti-corruption fight by holding their leaders to account and blow the whistle where they detect a corrupt act.”
