PROBE FORMER GOVERNORS, EDWIN CLARK       

Elder stateman, Chief Edwin Clark, has asked the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, to revisit high-profile corruption cases involving ex-governors and politicians.

Clark urged Olukoyede to prosecute them to a conclusion.

The elder statesman made the call against the backdrop of the anti-graft agency’s hunt for a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

In an open letter to the EFCC chairman titled, “The Reviving of All Abandoned High Profile Corrupt Cases Against Politicians by The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)”, made available to journalists on Tuesday, the Ijaw leader commended the EFCC chairman for his commitment to the fight against corruption, while urging Nigerians to support him in the fight.

“Mr Chairman, I am prompted to address this letter to you after seeing you on the television courageously and forthrightly speaking on behalf of your commission on the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello’s case which is already pending in the Federal High Court Abuja and as usual, some unpatriotic and misguided Nigerians have criticised you, branding your appearance on the television as media propaganda. I totally disagree with them, and you are on the right path.

“At this juncture, Nigerians should ask themselves if corruption is a monster that must be defeated. Otherwise, we are in big trouble. As our former President, Muhammadu Buhari used to say, ‘If we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill us’. Again, I appeal to the Nigerian public to support the new Chairman of EFCC in his crusade against corruption.”, he said.

Clark recalled letters written to the former Attorney-General of the Federation, in November 2011, where he had noted pending cases against some former governors.

“I deeply appreciate your courage and willpower in reviving these high-profile corrupt cases involving former governors, some of whom are in the Senate shamelessly parading themselves as innocent citizens while some of them are today serving as ministers in the present administration.

“I join other Nigerians in supporting you to carry out with rapidity the investigations of these cases and to expedite the trial of all those charged to court since 2007; who are not only in the Senate and government dining and wining with Mr President but are also living lavishly at the expense of volatile and vulnerable Nigerians,” he said.