BARELY 24 hours after it announced that 50 persons had been placed on a watch list following the affirmation by the court of Exective Order 6 (EO) recently issued by President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidency on Sunday appeared to have recanted, saying that there is no watch list and the government does not intend to issue one.
But it has affirmed that the implementation of the order is legal and it is meant to fast corruption cases some of which it noted had been pending for about 10 years.
The presidency had on Saturday announced that at least 50 high profile Nigerians have been placed under a watchlist as President Buhari mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to implement the order in full.
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According to a statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), a number of enforcement procedures had been been put in place by which the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed the individuals directly affected by EO6 on watch-list and restricted them from leaving the county pending the determination of their cases.
But in what seems like a turnaround, Shehu in a statement in Abuja on Sunday said: “On the so-called list you asked for confirmation, I want to confirm to you that we have not issued any list and we are not doing so.”
He said: “In the history of independent Nigeria, this is the first time any government is taking such a key decision to fight corruption. EO 6 is not only revolutionary to the efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption but a manifestation of systemic changes that are required to make necessary adjustments as we carry on with the war against corruption.
“The very essence of the order is to make for speedy trials and conclusion of graft cases. The order is not Politici and there is political gain behind its activation
“These high profile cases we are talking about have been ongoing for between seven to 10 years with no end in sight. These case were mostly originated by administrations other than this one.
“What is clear is that the access to these resources by the suspects has enabled them to be in a composition to sometime compromise investigation, prosecution and trial. In most of the cases, the courts are held in a helpless position by legal acrobatics paid for from corrupt enrichment by the suspects.
“The new measures put in place should compel everyone involved to make for a speedy conclusion of these cases. If it is your money, you have it back. If it belongs to the public, it goes back to the treasury.
“The question of the constitutionality of the restriction order is answered by the fact that a court of the land has given the government a clean chit.
“The Executive Order is legal and constitutional and therefore implementable.
“One of the cardinal objectives of the government under our constitution is to fight corruption. Fighting corruption is a responsibility and obligation upon the government.”
The presidential aide added: “These cases that are well known and to say this or that name is on it will open the door to further accusations, including trial by media.
“The Immìgration Service and other security agencies have the mandate of the President to carry out enforcement and they will do so giving due respects to individual rights, in line with the constitution.”
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