CSO decries ‘undue silence’ over ex-NiMET DG’s corruption probe by EFCC, ICPC
A civil society organization, the Coalition to Save Education in Nigeria (COSEN), has decried the undue silence of anti-graft agencies regarding corruption allegations against a former Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Prof. Sani Abubakar-Mashi.
COSEN’s Director of Operations, Kamsi Ezenwa, in a statement on Tuesday, lamented that despite several petitions by concerned Nigerians, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have yet to take action against the former DG.
The CSO claimed that in the period leading to his removal in early 2021, Mr. Mashi regularly visited the anti-graft agencies to answer allegations of fraud, embezzlement, and violations of public service rules, among other offenses.
“The most damning of the petitions, according to credible sources in one of the anti-graft agencies, was reportedly filed by one Mukhtar Sirika. Its immediate consequence is believed to have been directly responsible for Mashi’s sudden sack, only a few months after his tenure had been renewed.
“Aviation sector publication Nigerian FLIGHTDECK similarly reported that Mashi was alleged to have diverted COVID-19 funds approved for NiMET, engaged in reckless depletion of the agency’s internally generated revenue, and awarded inflated contracts without due approval,” the statement noted.
COSEN expressed dismay that almost four years after his sack, and despite what it described as “tons of evidence” against him, Mr. Mashi has yet to be held accountable for what the group insists are “several, serious allegations” against him.
It therefore called on the two anti-corruption bodies to “do the needful and ensure that, within the shortest possible time, cases against Prof. Mashi are given the full attention they deserve and that the law is allowed to take its course,” he added.
Mr. Ezenwa stated that it was unfortunate, unacceptable, and a matter of concern that individuals with questions to answer are allowed to hold or aspire to positions of responsibility, referring specifically to Prof. Mashi’s recent unsuccessful bid to become vice chancellor of the University of Abuja.
“Persons with a dubious or tainted past, and those under investigation for graft and alleged financial misconduct, must be barred from vying for elective and appointive positions, as this goes against public morality and the public good and violates the principles of natural justice, equity, and good conscience,” Mr. Ezenwa added.
