President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday declared that the faces of those who stole Nigeria’s funds while holding various government positions would be exposed in the coming weeks.
He said they “will be in court in a matter of weeks and Nigerians will know those who have short-changed them.”
Buhari said he was resolute on ensuring that all those who stole public funds, while holding various positions in the country, vomit same.
Thus, Buhari added that the government would begin arraignment and trial of all such Nigerians in the next few weeks.
It was learnt that the various anti-graft agencies have concluded investigation on some of these current and former political office holders as directed by the President.
Buhari, who spoke when he hosted members of the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, in the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, said he had made up his mind that one of the focus of his administration is the fight against corruption in all its ramification.
The National Peace Committee, formed before the 2015 general elections, was granted permission by the President to transform to a National Peace Council.
Members of the National Peace Committee who accompanied Abubakar on the visit were Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria.
Others were Justice Rose Ukeje (rtd), Prof Ameze Guobadia, Vanguard Newspaper Publisher, Sam Amuka, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Senator Ben Obi, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, and Dr. Arthur-Martin Aginam.
He also said he was committed to reducing unemployment and insecurity in the country.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Mr. Femi Adesina, confirmed the meeting between Buhari and the National Peace Committee.
“Nigeria has to break this vicious cycle before we can make progress,” he quoted the President as saying.
Buhari told the eminent Nigerians that his administration had gathered evidences and was still gathering on others.
The President also promised that all funds starched away in foreign accounts would be repatriated and the culprits tried and punished adding that the reason his administration was reorganising Nigeria’s revenue generating institutions was to resolve some of the major problems affecting the nation and which he inherited.
According to him, the single treasury account which has now been established for all federal revenues is to ensure greater probity, transparency and accountability in the collection, disbursement and utilisation of national funds.
Buhari said: “we have really degenerated as a country. Our national institutions, including the military, which did wonderfully on foreign missions in the past, have been compromised.
“But we are doing something about it. The military is now retraining and morale has been resuscitated.
“As Petroleum Minister under Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1970s, I could not travel abroad until I had taken a memo to the Federal Executive Council asking for estacode. Now, everybody does what he wants.
“That is why security-wise and economically, we’re in trouble.”
While speaking, the committee urged the Federal Government to be guided by the rule of law in its fight against corruption.
