The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba, Ibrahim El-Sudi, has said that corrupt leaders are deadlier than Boko Haram terrorists and bandits.
“In my opinion, corrupt leaders are even deadlier than terrorists and other criminal elements giving citizens sleepless nights across the country.
“They are responsible for millions of deaths due to poor health facilities, bad roads, hunger and several other decay in our society,” Mr El-Sudi said on Tuesday.
Speaking with journalists, the party chairman said, “Even the insecurity we are talking about today is substantially the consequence of corruption, actions or inactions of corrupt elements.
“That is why I think it is very important for the anti-graft commission to remove the plea bargain clause from its books so that those who have denied the people of their patrimony for so long will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
Mr El-Sudi urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to end the plea bargain policy, stating that it was necessary to win the fight against corruption.
The former Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in Taraba, Mr El-Sudi said the masses would never take the EFCC seriously if everytime a public official steals from our commonwealth and is allowed to return part of the loot to the government.
Reacting to the recent invitation of some government officials in Taraba by the EFCC over fraud allegations, Mr El-Sudi said corruption at state and local government levels was very high.
“I am aware that a lot of state and local government officials have been called in for questioning by the commission.
“I hope that all these ultimately culminate into the trial, prosecution and recovery of state funds blatantly embezzled by those in government.
“I equally urge the EFCC to expedite action against other collaborators in this conspiracy to defraud the people and get them to face the law since they do not enjoy immunity like some top functionaries,” he said.
Recall that Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, accused anti-corruption agencies, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the EFCC, of only going after low-level officials but delaying procedures in cases involving high-level officials.
