Bandits, kidnappers and terrorists are daily wrecking havoc on Nigerians. Indeed bandits and kidnappers are intertwine, as for now, is a money spinning “business’’ in Nigeria.
The actions of bandits and kidnappers constitute terrorism, but in Nigeria, regrettably, the government is selective on the group or groups to designate bandits, and in the same vein their punishment differs.
But recently, irrepressible human rights activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore frowned at the discriminatory punishment meted out to bandits and other groups.
In fact, in his considered opinion, treasury looters, should be in the same group with bandits, kidnappers and terrorists.
His position stemmed from the action of Oyo State Government that demolished a building in Ibadan, allegedly used as a hideout by kidnappers who abducted Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, along with her 12-year old twin sons.
The structure, located in the Lako Community of Oluyole Local Government Area, was pulled down less than 48 hours after the victims were rescued by security operatives.
Government officials and police personnel visited the site before carrying out the exercise.
The state government said the action reflects its resolve to tackle insecurity and dismantle criminal networks operating within Oyo State.
Sowore urged the federal government to apply the same stringent measures used against kidnappers’ hideouts, to the luxurious mansions of politicians and public officials accused of embezzling public funds.
He argued that public treasury looting constitutes a severe form of kidnapping that deprives millions of Nigerians of essential services.
The activist said if in the opinion of the government, property acquired or used for criminal activity should be destroyed immediately, then the principle should be applied to all offenders.
“If the government truly believes that property acquired through or used for criminal activity should be destroyed immediately, then that same principle must apply to politicians.
“Public treasury looting is a form of killing too, it kidnaps healthcare, education, jobs, infrastructure, and the millions of Nigerian,’’ he said.
Sowore also suggested that, “Public officials and other powerful individuals who stole public funds to build mansions and acquire vast assets should have their mansions demolished.’’
What Sowore, alluded as banditry and kidnapping by political office holders is on the front burner now.
At the centre of the public discourse are revelations from the oversight function of the Senate Committee on South-East Development Commission (SEDC).
The Committee chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia North), particularly frowned at N153m, the Commission claimed it used to rent one-room office in Abuja.
The Committee also drilled SEDC’s Managing Director Mark Okoye, over suspected mismanagement of N16.6 billion received by the Commission as part of its 2025 budget allocations.
The Committee specifically frowned at the N153 million the Commission claimed it spent to rent a one-room liaison office in Abuja, and N2.5 billion categorised as “implied expenditure.’’
The Committee told the managing director and his team that they were not satisfied with the financial report it submitted during the investigative hearing.
The managing director was directed to give account of the N16.6 billion allocation received from the federal budget.
Committee Chairman Orji Uzor Kalu, told SEDC Managing Director, Okoye, that information from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revealed that N13 billion, remained from the N16.6 billion the SEDC collected in December last year.
That implies that N3.6 billion had been spent and must be accounted for.
“This committee is disappointed with the financial report given, which is completely unacceptable,” he said.
Other members of the committee are: Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), and Senator Austin Akobundu (Abia Central).
All the members also expressed displeasure with the report presented.
SEDC managing director in his defence, said expenditures carried out so far, were justifiable, and money received judiciously used.
A group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), is also saddened by the revelations at the investigative hearing of SEDC activities by the Senate Committee on SEDC.
It described the Committee’s action as courageous, diligent and constitutionally mandated exercise of legislative oversight in probing the financial activities of the South-East Development Commission.
HURIWA in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko said the revelations emerging from the Senate investigative hearing on the management of over N16.6 billion released to the Commission from the 2025 budget allocation raise disturbing questions that demand immediate intervention by anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies.
The rights group particularly expressed outrage over allegations presented before the Senate Committee that the Commission allegedly expended N153 million on the rent of a one-room liaison office in Abuja, and listed another N2.5 billion under what was reportedly categorized as “implied expenditure.”
According to HURIWA, such allegations, if established through investigation, represent a shocking abuse of public trust and a reckless deployment of scarce public resources at a time millions of citizens in the South-East continue to grapple with poor infrastructure, youth unemployment, insecurity, inadequate healthcare facilities and widespread economic hardship.
According to HURIWA, no public official entrusted with development funds should be allowed to treat public resources as personal assets.
HURIWA specifically called on the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately invite the managing director and relevant management officials of the South-East Development Commission for interrogation and forensic scrutiny of all expenditures made from the N16.6 billion allocation.
The association stated that the Senate Committee has already performed its constitutional responsibility by exposing apparent discrepancies and demanding accountability.
“The anti-corruption agencies must now complement that effort through criminal and forensic investigations where necessary.
“If investigations establish financial misconduct, diversion of public funds, inflation of contracts, procurement violations or any form of abuse of office, arrests and prosecutions must follow without delay.
“Public office holders must understand that accountability is not negotiable and that impunity can no longer be tolerated in institutions created to uplift disadvantaged regions.”
The group expressed disappointment that within a relatively short period of its establishment, the Commission is already facing allegations capable of undermining public confidence in its mandate.
HURIWA emphasized that it has not categorically accused the hierarchy of the SEDC of any misdeed, but stressed that development commissions must be managed by individuals whose commitment to integrity, accountability and prudent management of public resources is beyond reproach.
“The South-East people deserve a development commission that works for the people and not for a privileged few.
Also, South-East stakeholders are pouring their venom on the management of the SEDC, over the alleged suspected mismanagement of resources.
A commentator wrote inter alia in one of the South-East wasapp group: “The South-West Is Building Rails. The South-East Built Excuses With N16 billion.
Tinubu gave the South-East exactly what they demanded, a development commission, their own people are in charge, and given billions to work with.
“Sixteen months later, N16 billion had vanished. N153 million went to a single one-room office in Abuja. N2.5 billion was labelled “implied expenditure,” with zero explanation.
“The Senate couldn’t even get the real figures from the Commission, they had to call the Central Bank of Nigeria directly.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, an Igbo son himself, sat before that board and said out loud: Your financial report is completely unacceptable.”
“When your own patriarch condemns you in public, Abuja is no longer your problem.’’
“Meanwhile, the South-West through their Commission, secured a rail operating licence, connecting all the six states, through a 44-city network.
“The North-East spent N3 billion in medical equipment. The Niger Delta is completing a 1.2 kilometre bridge.
“Same Nigeria, Same Tinubu, and completely different results, because different regions sent leaders who build, instead of leaders who bill.
“The South-East’s greatest enemy right now is not in Aso Rock, it is sitting in board meetings, signing fraudulent expenditure reports, and flying business class on your collective pain.’’
Similar uncomplimentary comments about the SEDC leadership dot many South-East and indeed national wasapp platforms.`
As pointed out by Sowore, you can now see the victims of the alleged perceived fiscal terrorism in SEDC. The victims indeed paid the ransom. How. Through the money allocated to use and address development challenges in the South-East, used for frivolities, like renting one-room liaison office for a whopping N153 million, among others.
Obike Ukoh, former Deputy Editor-In-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
