CSOs urge Tinubu to revisit abandoned corrupt cases

The National Coalition of Civil Society Organisations has urged President Bola Tinubu to address unresolved corruption cases and ensure their proper prosecution.

While congratulating the new president, the group emphasized the importance of the Tinubu administration’s efforts to tackle corruption and financial crime.

During a news conference in Abuja, the group’s national secretary, Comrade Femi Osabinu, notably mentioned the case of former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah, who is currently facing fraud allegations.

Osabinu stated that they believe taking significant action in this area will provide the country with a clear orientation for the next four years.

Oduah is on trial with eight people on multiple counts of charges, including conspiracy, money laundering, and keeping anonymous bank accounts with First Bank Plc.

He said, “As a not-for-profit non-governmental organization comprising patriotic Nigerians, our unwavering commitment to ensuring that public funds allocated for the betterment of our citizens are used judiciously and accounted for necessitates our active involvement in the face of this blatant alleged misappropriation of our collective wealth.”

He also expressed dissatisfaction with the lengthy procedures in the corruption case involving Senator Oduah and others before Justice Ekwo at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Osabinu termed it as a major shame to the APC-led federal government’s anti-corruption campaign and a stain on the judiciary’s image.

He emphasized the international community’s significant interest in the result of the situation, naming the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and global anti-corruption agencies as key observers.

Osabinu urged President Tinubu to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to ensure Oduah’s proper arraignment for the federal government’s fraud accusations against her to be resolved as soon as possible.