LBy Usman Machina
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been faced with an ample opportunity again to prove itself as an incorruptible top rate anti-graft body in the country.
Its ongoing investigation into the activities of the Yobe state government over alleged questionable contract awards and execution as well as misapplication of funds, will be another litmus test in the avowed war against corruption, and the commission’s credibility as an unbiased umpire.
Yobe State has consistently been in the news for the past two weeks for the wrong reason.
The media has been awash by stories of alleged financial malfeasance and misapplication by the state government, triggering public outcry from the state and beyond.
Two of the reports, by notable media outlets titled, “Yobe Assembly’s Ignoble Role In Damuli Investment “Probe”” and “Yobe Govt Budgets Fresh N2.1Billion For Cars After Spending N6Billion On Vehicles In 2024” revealed mind-boggling allegations of sharp practices as well as deployment of the state’s scarce resources to mundane projects amid glaring infrastructural challenges, debilitating public health issues, low education standard and endemic poverty amongst others.
It is worrisome that despite the enormity of the allegations, the state government and the company as well as individuals mentioned in the reports have not come out to publicly denounce or explain the level of their individual involvement.
The deafening silence especially on the part of the state government amid the cacophony of calls by public-spirited individuals and organizations on it to come clean of the allegations further created deep shadow and doubts over its sincerity.
This silence has also oiled the rumour mills and created discontent that is needlessly heating up the polity in the state.
Many believe that the state government’s attitude negates the oath the current public officials took to ensure accountability and full disclosure in whatever activities relating to the administration of the state.
With the government reneging on these oaths and its responsibility, it is therefore gratifying that the anti-graft agency has taken interest and investigating the allegations.
The move by the commission has gradually rekindled the hope of the citizens, after the initial despair, that the cloud which hovered around the affected transactions would ebb, the truth laid bare and doubts cleared.
It is therefore imperative for the commission to justfy the confidence that trailed its intervention in the matter and go the whole hog in unraveling the truth without fear or favour.
There is no doubt that as it sets out in its onerous duty, certain elements may create obstruction and bobby traps on its way through operatives who maybe willing to succumb to corrupt influences. Such incidences involving high profile and influential figures with tainted pasts abound thereby weakening and eroding public confidence in its operations.
Such figures may already and as usual be connecting with their allies including at the presidency in order to sweep this disturbing matter under the carpet. Yobe citizens are however already aware of the misdemeanor and patiently waiting on the integrity of the EFCC over this matter especially with the credible information that some top ranking officers of the state government were invited to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
But it is important for it to draw inspiration from its successes which had led to hundreds of convictions in court, recovery of properties worth humongous amounts, and trillions in proceeds of corruption.
The Yobe public expected it to tow this glorious path of honour in the new assignment. In doing so it should pause to take a passionate look at the state’s severe public health challenges with greater percentage of the population lacking access to medicare services. A deeper scrutiny will show how the state is severely disadvantaged in virtually all sectors with basic amenities non-existent in most of its parts.
The analysis by one of the medium under reference showed appalling situation in the education sector, water and others.
“Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that 48% of school-aged children in the state lack access to education, 73% of households are deprived of basic amenities, and 27% of residents lack access to clean drinking water. Overall, more than 1.3 million people in Yobe are classified as poor,” it stated.
There is also the need for public officials in the state to cooperate with the anti-graft agency in its investigation of the matter to ensure seamless process. They should know that their integrity is called to question by the reports and only a clean bill of health by the commission can salvage the reputation.
Machina writes from Damaturu, Yobe State.