The AGF's Letter To Ibori's Counsel http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/letters/article01
Sir: The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) rates the letter written by he Attorney General of the Federation to Chief James Ibori's counsel, as the greatest height of corruption and an expression of the hidden agenda of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to cover up the monumental corruption, which is the metaphor of the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo regime.
CNPP had severally notified Nigerians that the rule-of-the -law sloganeering of the Yar'Adua regime is mere posturing, designed as an orchestra of deception. We are of the firm belief that the AGF cannot initiate a letter to Chief James Ibori's counsel without a directive from Mr. President. We are also worried that this is not the first time the government is obstructing and sabotaging the efforts of the anti-graft agencies, especially the EFCC.
Otherwise, how can the AGF claim in the said letter that Chief Ibori is not among the legion of ex-governors and public officers in the corruption index of EFCC? How can a government that its slogan is zero tolerance of corruption be violating the international convention against corruption to which the country is a signatory?
Whereas the CNPP subscribes to the core values of the rule of law, we also subscribe to the dictum that humanitarian law provides for the suspension of civil liberties and cronysm in times of emergency, that threatens common good and indeed the life of the nation. To us corruption is at the root of our underdevelopment, the bane of our society and collapse of our infrastructure. Corruption is the greatest obstacle to actualising the Millenium Development Goals.
We are of the candid view that President Yar'Adua is deliberately sabotaging and subverting genuine efforts to stamp out corruption in Nigeria, which is highly regrettable and unfortunate. We need not remind Yar'Adua, that at the rate he is going, over $200 billion of our commonwealth stashed abroad by looters will never be recovered, inspite of the United Nation's Stolen Assets Recovery Initiative (StAR), which a patriotic government could exploit. How can a government that shields looters, recover looted funds? CNPP calls on Nigerians to remain vigilant and not be hoodwinked by the posturing of the Yar'Adua administration.
Osita Okechukwu,
National Publicity Secretary,
Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP)