20 January 2008
Lagos — A former police commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and prosecute former Governor George Akume of Benue State, for alleged corrupt practices.
Tsav made the call in Makurdi, yesterday, during a news conference.
The former police commissioner who was the National Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Coalition (ACC), said EFCC should arrest Akume for allegedly looting state funds.
He regretted that EFCC under Malam Nuhu Ribadu, had failed to prosecute all the former governors accused of corrupt practices.
According to him, those accused included Akume, who had "the worst allegation of corrupt charges in the country".
"If other ex-governors are made to stand trials for similar allegations brought against them, why not Akume who is not remorseful? Akume in a total disrespect for the rule of law, the Constitution and EFCC, ordered the beating up of the Commission's operatives who were in Makurdi in 2005.
"It is unfortunate that such person is still allowed to go unquestioned,"he said.
Tsav urged the new EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamorde, to look into the files of Akume, arrest and prosecute him for the alleged looting of Benue funds.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Tsav's corruption petition against Akume filed in 2004, was being used by EFCC to investigate the former governor.
Speaking also, an official of the Organisation, Dr Godwin Daboh, alleged that an invisible political maneuvering was being played to let Akume off the hooks.
He urged concerned citizens from Benue and ACC not to hesitate in taking EFCC to court if Akume's prosecution was delayed.
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