The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) an anti-corruption group, has faulted President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government for its silence on the leaked Panama Papers.

The controversial papers had exposed some top world corrupt public office holders, including prominent Nigerians.

CACOL in a statement issued on Friday, by its executive chairman, Debo Adeniran, said the government’s “indifference” to the scandal was “worrisome and repugnant.”

The group demanded that the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, should resign from office and surrender himself to federal authorities for prosecution.

“The Nigerian government’s attitude to the gruesome revelations from the Panama Papers leaks becomes worrisome and repugnant, as the attitude is apparently lackadaisical and indifferent,” Adeniran said.

“When in other places, heads of the ‘mighty’ have ‘rolled’ over the Panama papers leaks, (notably in Iceland where the Prime Minister was forced to resign from office following protests by Icelanders) the Nigerian government’s reaction or better put inaction and insensitivity over the Panama papers is unacceptable and reprehensible,” the group said.

The group warned that any failure by Buhari’s government to immediately act on the situation will not augur well for the much-touted anti-corruption mantra of his administration.

“With such a lackadaisical or indifferent attitude on the part of government toward global issues like the Panama Papers leak especially when so-called leaders from Nigeria are mentioned in the scam, the celebrated anti-corruption drive of the government and the anti-corruption poise of the present regime may as well just be described as a ruse,” he said.

“Consequently, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL is demanding that a special attention should be paid by the Federal government and the anti-corruption agencies to the revelations from the leaks with a goal of acting on them and with the view of verifying the facts; carrying out investigations, probing, prosecuting and recovering all the loots stolen from our Commonwealth that are hidden in the tax havens and offshore companies.

“Dr. Bukola Saraki, the sitting Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly with all his baggage of corruption charges is, once again, topping the charts in the Panama Papers.

“This is totally disgraceful and very tarnishing for the image of the country and calls for drastic action of government and good people of Nigeria. Saraki, who is currently facing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on a thirteen-count charge, on the bases of corruption and false assets declaration is reported to have continued receiving salaries even after leaving office as Governor in Kwara state and used state funds to pay for private properties.

“With the addition of the Panama Papers indictment to his ‘multi-coloured coat’ of corruption, it is time for Nigerians to call for Saraki to step down as Senate President and as Chairman of the National Assembly pending when he has successfully cleared his name and clean the ‘smears’ all over him.

“If he fails to resign, Nigerians must rally and mandate their representatives in their various constituencies to commence his impeachment process of based on moral and ethical grounds”, he added.

Emekamex:
Since PMB feeds on fighting corruption, I find it awkward that EFCC are yet to investigate those (f)ingered by Panama Papers.

Fmartin:
Hmmm...... All the problm we ar experiencing now is a repercussion of corruption fight.


Always remember that corruption will fight back.


#buhari should trade with caution


peace

midolian:
bRos, forget o! Thread with caution kini? Let him fight them to the finish. Why should we because corruption will fight back romance with dealing with it? So long as Buhari has the pple's support, he ll come out successful!

midolian:
Indeed...

I am running outta patience..thank Goodness Saraki is in court already. Can't wait to see David Mark and others too being tried.

I think I just love seeing criminals in court

Dannyset:
Let me first say it here that the President is not a man of many words, and we all know it. When he says one, you people will be the first to say he doesn't respect the rule of law.

And for the records, no government has taken any action or actions against the #Panamapaper revelation. It's still very early to do that.

It's a big shame for this CACOL to be calling on President Buhari to talk now, while their mates in ICELAND singlehandedly ousted someone with just their protest and these ones sits in the comfort of their office and release stupid press statement.

The government would act at the appropriate time. But you too stand up and do your bit. Those who did it have not more than one head.

Dannyset:
Let me first say it here that the President is not a man of many words, and we all know it. When he says one, you people will be the first to say he doesn't respect the rule of law.

And for the records, no government has taken any action or actions against the #Panamapaper revelation. It's still very early to do that.

It's a big shame for this CACOL to be calling on President Buhari to talk now, while their mates in ICELAND singlehandedly ousted someone with just their protest and these ones sits in the comfort of their office and release stupid press statement.

The government would act at the appropriate time. But you too stand up and do your bit. Those who did it have not more than one head.

Emekamex:
Since PMB feeds on fighting corruption, I find it awkward that EFCC are yet to investigate those (f)ingered by Panama Papers.