The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SIPDEL), lauded the recent suspension of the President of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele.
It also demanded a thorough probe of his administration for allegations of mismanagement of the nation’s economy.
The latest statement by NBA-SPIDEL came ahead of its forthcoming annual conference, billed to take place at Citadel Complex, Oregun, Ikeja Lagos State, from June 20 to 23, 2023.
This latest statement was jointly signed by the NBA-SPIDEL chairman, Monday Ubani and the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Mr Okey Ohagba, forwarded to DAILY POST on Tuesday.
The NBA-SPIDEL enjoined President Bola Tinubu to institute a high-powered panel of investigators to unearth the alleged fraud involving the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika and Air Nigeria flight, which according to the group, has turned Nigeria into a laughing stock in the global aviation community.
“This matter is a litmus test for the new administration, especially if President Bola Tinubu wants to be seen as desirous of combating corruption in the country,” it added.
“If the assertion by the Managing Director of Nigeria Air, Dayo Olumide, during a senate hearing that the aircraft said to be for Air Nigeria was merely a chartered flight from an Ethiopian airline to hoodwink Nigerians,” it added.
The human rights group advised the Tinubu-led administration to develop a zero tolerance policy towards corruption and mismanagement of public funds.
“The government must respect the rule of law and avoid executive lawlessness and impunity. These are acts that will bring his administration into collusion course with civil society and human rights community.
“If the government abides by the rule of law, respects human rights, ensures transparency and accountability as fundamental objectives of state policy, it should be rest assured of tremendous goodwill from the majority of the citizens of Nigeria”.
On fuel subsidy removal, the NBA-SPIDEL frowned at the severe consequences the new policy had taken on the hapless citizens who are always the victims of such government policies, tasking the government to put in place more drastic and well-thought-out economic packages to cushion the harsh effects of oil subsidy removal.
While applauding the efforts of the federal government of Nigeria amid consultations to birth palliatives aimed at alleviating the harshness of the sudden removal, the non governmental body further reminded the new President to seek wisdom and the right kind of advice to navigate out of the myriad of challenges Nigeria has found itself.
