Ikoyi Billions: Frank Warns Against Cover up

BY Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

A top members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has said the fight against corruption by the present administration may be in jeopardy if the findings of the presidential committee investigating the N13.3 billion discovered in an Ikoyi apartment is not released to Nigerians on time. 

The committee headed by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is also tasked to investigate allegations of corruption against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal.

However,  Frank said the report  ought to have been released to show transparency in the war against corruption the same way the Senate has done. 

He said the presidency had promised to release the reports over a week ago but the citizens are still waiting. 

In a statement signed in Abuja yesterday, the APC Deputy Publicity Secretary said the continued delay in making public the outcome of Osinbajo’s three-man committee might begin to give room to rumours and speculations which Nigerians are not known with the acting president. 

Frank said he was speaking out because when the committee was set up by the president he also commended the move. 

Frank also cautioned that not only Nigerians are expecting the outcome of Professor Osinbajo’s panel but “the international community are also waiting on how Nigeria would handle the matter as this singular act could make or mar the war against corruption in Nigeria. 

“It is high time this report is make public to proof to the world that our party mean it when we say we are fighting corruption, because do as said is the hallmark of integrity in governance. 

“The reports of discovery of large amount of money as $43million without true identity of the owner in a country where government cannot pay salaries or increase the meager being paid the hard working civil servants, where poverty, hunger and massive unemployment are order of the day should not be delay or swept under the carpet.” 

He said Nigerians actually believe in the integrity of Osinbajo the same way they trust President Muhammadu Buhari himself, adding that “this is the time to proof that integrity because Nigerian masses are suffering for the sins they never committed.” 

Frank referred  to the case of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who is facing charges on corruption allegations by this same government, saying that nobody find guilty should be protected. 

“The NIA and SGF’s reports should no longer be kept away from Nigerians. These reports should be released within the shortest possible time to allay the fears among a section of Nigerians,” Frank said.