$12.4 billion windfall: Buhari must probe IBB now – Group says

– Former military president Babangida clocked 75 a few days ago

– SERAP wants IBB investigated for his alleged knowledge of the missing $12.4 billion windfall during the gulf war

– Ex-Head of State was said to have made money from crude oil sales while he ruled the nation

A socio crusade group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to re-visit the inconclusive issue of the “missing $12.4 billion oil windfall.”

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SERAP informed that the said money was spent between 1988 and 1993 by the regime of Babangida who ruled the country from 1985 to 1993.

The socio rights group advised the justice minister to use his office and power under Section 174(1) of the Constitution and sections 104-106 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to prove the veracity of what happened to the windfall and to prosecute those found to be guilty.

Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida

The socio crusade group made this known through an open letter by SERAP’S executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, to Malami on Sunday, August 21

The letter reads: “SERAP, has for many years, sought explanation and official release of the Pius Okigbo panel report, which the government voluntarily established. But successive administration blocked every chance to officially release the Okigbo Report with some even claiming that the report could not be found.

READ ALSO: PMB thanks former military president IBB for nation’s unity

“SERAP’s request is entirely consistent with the established legal principle that in matters relating to crimes, including corruption, time does not run against the state.

“Reopening the case would also send a clear message that cases of high-level official corruption would not go unpunished no matter how long it takes and that suspected perpetrators would be held to account, no matter who is involved.

“SERAP also believes that reopening the unresolved case of missing $12.4bn oil windfall would serve as a litmus test for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari often repeated commitments to transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption in the country.

“Full accountability for the missing public funds would contribute to ending impunity of high-ranking public officials for large-scale corruption and provide effective remedies to victims of corruption.”

The former Head of State also has other allegations leveled against him on other controversial issues. Dele Giwa, a magazine editor who was very critical of Babangida’s regime, was killed at his Lagos home in 1986 by a letter bomb, with accusing fingers pointed at Babangida.

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