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Why FG’s Investigative Panel Should Continue Behind Closed Doors

Policy analyst, Tokunbo Adedeji, has stated reasons why the investigative process of the committee set up by the  Presidency, over the suspension of the Secretary … Continue reading Why FG’s Investigative Panel Should Continue Behind Closed Doors


Policy analyst, Tokunbo Adedeji, has stated reasons why the investigative process of the committee set up by the  Presidency, over the suspension of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Lawal Babachir and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke, should be kept behind closed doors.

Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast show, Sunrise Daily, he also raised concerns that it is not enough to accuse and probe but rather, claims of wrong doing must be proven.

 Read Also: Why Buhari Suspended SGF, NIA DG

“It’s a step in the right direction that the general public is getting to know a number of the rot that we have had in the system – It is good and it is salutary that these issues be pursued.

“However, we must all remind ourselves that it is not just a question of doing wrong or accusing someone of doing wrong, you must be able to prove that the person has done wrong. Therefore, there is the course of the law that must be followed.

“Under the present circumstance, we have seen a number of cases go to court and lost in court by the Federal Government and therefore, I would imagine that the Federal Government wouldn’t want to make the same mistakes again,” Mr Adedeji stated.

Hands Are Tied

Speaking further on the intentions of the Government, he said: “What they have done in this instance of the NIA DG, is to ensure that they follow the due process.

“I think where their hands are tied with regards to the NIA DG is simply because he came up to own that the money found in Ikoyi, belongs to his organisation and it was meant for a covert operation. Once you hear that, then you have to be a little bit careful. It may be true, it may not be true.

“That’s why there is need to find out internally – That’s why they set up that committee internally to be able to go through that process.”

He, therefore agreed that the investigative process should continue behind closed doors because of the nature of the issue of the DG.

“These are people who in other climes are faceless – You don’t even know who they are – That particular organisation, they remain faceless. Therefore, it is left for us to understand without emotion, the direction these things are going.”

According to Mr Adedeji, there are certain things that are said there that are meant for internal consumption only and eventually the outcome of the investigations would be presented to Nigerian.

“I would want to believe that the position of the Vice President is in line with the position of the President with regards to corruption and therefore, he would follow through with that determination that if it is true that this is a corrupt practice, it will be exposed and the person would be made to go through the process of investigation before they even go to court.”