By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
A group legal practitioners, Lawyers for the Cause of Bauchi (LAWBA) has opined that corruption, Anti-Corruption and Rule of Law are on trial in Bauchi State
The group, in a press conference held on Friday at the NUJ Press Center addressed by Bala Hussaini. Esq., PRO, LAWBA stated that, “Today, the leadership of this set-up that is Lawyers for the Cause of Bauchi (LAWBA) is through this avenue rising to the occasion and responsibility of promoting the rule of law, matters relating to the fight against corruption and so on.”
The group stressed that,”We are doing this, because, as learned men who are gifted by God Almighty in the knowledge and practice of the law, it is our duty along with other stakeholders to rise in the promotion of the rule of law, support genuine causes that will trigger positive development in our dear Bauchi State and pursue all other just, reasonable and desirable efforts in the fight against corruption especially at this trying times when lots of ordinary citizens are finding it hard to survive due to the actions or omissions of public officers, politicians and others who have the privilege to be in control of state resources, wealth and the rest.”
It stated that,”This is the reason why the subject of this press conference is the action by Bauchi State Government through the judicially proscribed and outlawed Bauchi State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.”
“Now as Lawyers, Ministers in the Temple of Justice and people who are privileged by virtue of our calling to have a lot to offer to the development of our state and country which role we have been playing over time, we shall place it on record that we abhor, loath and are always at the opposite direction with corruption and all forms of financial crimes and of course breach of the law under whatever guise,” It stressed.
Therefore and without much ado, the issues we feel seriously about and are taking the pains to address this afternoon as they affect our state are as follows: That ordinarily, the recent arrest, detention and on-going investigation of Abubakar Sa’idu, the immediate past Accountant-General of Bauchi State and Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Higher Education by the Bauchi State Government over allegations of corruption and other crimes should be a welcome development as regards the fight against corruption.
According to LAWBA, “Before now, a lot of the citizenry in the state are concerned about questions of the integrity and truth about the standing of Bauchi State when it comes to public expenditure, its financial standing and how just or otherwise the state resources are being managed by the incumbent administration.”
The group stated that,”When the news broke out about Abubakar Sa’idu arrest, detention and so on, many people became interested and hopeful that something that will be of benefit to the state in terms of the fight against corruption will be achieved.”
“As lawyers and having taking time to check through the law books and other relevant records, however, we are sounding this warning that unless BASG retrace its steps and listened to the words of wisdom and guidance some of which we are communicating through this medium, the whole thing may end up as anything but a fight against corruption,.” it stressed.
LAWBA stated that,”We wish to state clearly that the action so far taken by BASG on this issue lacks legal basis hence same is dead on arrival as a matter of the law. This is the legal implication of the binding and subsisting judgement delivered on the 20th July 2023 by the Federal High Court, Bauchi Division, Presided by Hon. Justice M. S. Liman in Suit No: FHC/BA/CS/76/2022.”
According to the group,”In other to be taken seriously on this issue, we are calling on Government of Bauchi State to as a matter of urgency refer this case and other similar corruption related cases to the EFCC, ICPC and other duly constituted agencies.”
According to it, “We note and observe that like on the issue of State Police, conduct of local government elections and so on, the people have more confidence and trust in Federal Institutions than their state counterparts.”
It stressed that,”In the corruption case in focus, this becomes more compelling, sensible and justifiable as the law that created the so-called Bauchi State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has been invalidated by the judgement in reference which is still subsisting and in full force same having not been set aside on appeal or halted in any other legal manner.”
“It is curious that for a Commission that was purportedly created in 2022, it took until few weeks ago and more than one year after the invalidation of the law creating it before it is taking its first major action or case on corruption and even then narrowing it down to only one public officer in the person of the immediate past Accountant General of the State.”
It added that,” From the facts and information at our disposal, the government owe citizens a duty to explain how possible is it for only one person to perpetrate the alleged offences alone. The point is that as a matter of the rule of law, it doesn’t admit to selective Justice or politically motivated persecution in the name of fight against corruption.”
“For this reason, government owe the people an explanation as to what exactly is happening and who if any are the other persons having explanations to offer on this case and other matters having to do with the commonwealth of the Bauchi particularly the aspect of management, accountability and transparency.Leaders hold offices in trust for the people so their should be full disclosure on any matter of public interest.”
LAWBA further stated that,”It is important for other well meaning citizens to join hands with us in driving the struggle for a genuine fight against corruption and other excesses of people in authority.”
It then commended the role by some leading members of the Bar in Bauchi State and other patriotic citizens across all divides who have in their on way contributed to the task of putting government on its toes on this issue of significant value and content as far as promotion of the rule of law and certainly the fight against corruption is concerned.
The group assured that, “At our level in LAWBA, we are taking the matter a notch higher in the best interest of the state. Law, power and authority must be deployed to serve our collective good and nothing else.”
“In addition to co-operating with properly constituted bodies like the EFCC, ICPC and the Human Rights Commission to determine the various legal issues involved for necessary action, we are ready and shall do more in ensuring that the right thing is done on these matters, it assured.
The group explained that, “In preparing for this press conference, we acknowledged and are appreciative of the role of Journalists, content creators and other stakeholders who have shown interest in what we are doing. That is how it should be and lets us all be guided by what is right.”
It added that,”In this kind of struggle that entail huge personal sacrifice, commitment, endurance, courage and taking the bashings that usually follows speaking truth to power, we should be consoled and are further motivated by the knowledge of the fact that for all that men do, a day of reckoning shall come.”