Go after contractors not ex-CEO of FMBN – Group tells ICPC

By Abubakar Yunusa

A Civil Society Organization known as the National Youth Appropriation Initiative(NYAI) has on Friday urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to be professionally guided in its approach to investigation.

The national President of NYAI, Barr. Ishaq Hussein made the statement while reacting to the recent frivolities and inclusion of the Ex-CEO, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria in a proposed ICPC arraignment charge.

Barr. Ishaq said the ICPC should go after the contractors which is known to them and not the Ex-CEO who is outrightly innocent.

Reports have it that the monies for the project was secured as a loan from Eco Bank.

The Contractors were introduced to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, with history of several projects with Eco Bank.

If the Contractors suddenly became incompetent then the leadership of FMBN after Gimba Kumo should have revoked it, but no and the now question is why?

Recall a statement by the ICPC Director of Legal Henry Emore, who had said there is no charge against the former CEO of FMBN Gimba Yau Kumo. So if they file any charge now, it is of political interest,”.

Also the EFCC few years ago conducted it’s investigation and said there is nothing linking Gimba to the said $65 million contract meant for the development of 962 units of residential houses in the FCT.

According to reports, the contract was approved to a company called Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited but did not deliver the project. The Directors of the Company should be the ones under the ICPC watchlist or arraignment list not Gimba.

“Why then is ICPC going after the Ex-CEO instead of the contractors, even after the ICPC and EFCC has cleared him”.

Also recall that the Ex-CEO of FMBN had presented all documents to the senate committee on public accounts when summoned on to clarify the matter in 2018.

Ishaq encouraged the ICPC to refrain from any form of political propaganda sponsored to witch-hunt patriotic nationals.

The national President has said that public office holders who have served Nigeria diligently should not be harassed by operatives of the ICPC with conflicting charges.

“If a case has been cleared, it is cleared why would another operative reawaken a case without proper investigation and after displaced operations, they begin to tender apologies as damage control.”

“With proper investigation, they should know whom to arraign and who shouldnt. Chasing clouts and pulling triggers of empty riffles only ridicules the commission’s operational standards,” He added.