The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) has urged all Bauchi state stakeholders to reject moves by members of the state’s House of Assembly to pass a law, which would in effect, prevent the recovery of looted funds by the state government.
A statement signed in Abuja by its Executive Director Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, said the bill seeks to repeal the state Public Property and Funds Recovery Tribunal, which was signed into law in 2017.
According to the statement, if the bill stands, the average politician in the near future can loot funds and go to court citing this legislation as a basis for why they should not be held to account for looting properties and resources belonging to the state.
“From CHRICED independent findings, it is pertinent to note that the situation of corruption in Bauchi State is a very worrying one, which requires the attention of all anti-corruption stakeholders.
“While lawmakers in an outgoing administration are busy passing anti-people laws aimed at covering their tracks, and holding on to looted properties, the incoming administration will be headed by a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who is being investigated by the anti-corruption agencies for egregious acts of corruption while serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement said.
“Worse still, as soon as he is sworn, he would be covered by immunity from prosecution, which again foists a corrupt leadership on the people of the State.
“What this demonstrates is that there is ongoing massive looting of public property and by extension the state treasury, and that the perpetrators of these crimes against the people of Bauchi State are trying to put in place a law to protect themselves from investigation by the relevant agencies in due course,” it added.
CHRICED condemned the moves which it called “an act of legislative brigandage” adding that it is an attempt at legalizing stealing in Bauchi state, and therefore called on citizens, civil society, labour and other well-meaning interest groups to resist it with all lawful means necessary.
