Contrary
to widespread speculations that the noose may have tightened around former
President Jonathan’s camp, and that his arrest may be in the offing, Ripples
Nigeria investigations show that he may not be on the priority list of security
agencies for now.
On
Wednesday, the former president arrived Port-Harcourt International Airport
enroute his country home, Otuoke. He is reported to have spent about a month
away from Nigeria, raising speculations that he might have sought refuge in the
French-speaking West African country of Côte d’ Ivoire. This has since been
denied by the former president.
The
exile rumour gained grounds soon after Jonathan’s Special Assistant on Domestic
Affairs, Warimopei Dudafa and his cousin, Robert Azibaola, were arrested and
detained by the EFCC over allegations of embezzlement of public funds.
While
Azibaola was accused of being involved in a $40m oil pipeline scandal, Dudafa
allegedly got into trouble for sharing N10bn to PDP delegates during the
presidential primaries in December 2014.
Soon
after that, the EFCC also arrested and grilled his former Principal Private
Secretary, Mr. Hassan Tukur in connection with the release of some funds by the
Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Though
the rumoured plan to also quarantine Jonathan for possible prosecution is yet
to fully abate, Ripples Nigeria findings do not suggest that he may be picked
up soon for interrogation. An immediate pointer to this was a declaration by
President Buhari that the former president had done so much to earn his praise
and those of other compatriots.
In
an emotion-laden statement made while addressing the Villa press corps on
Monday, Buhari hailed Jonathan, “For him to have conceded defeat even before
the result was announced by INEC, I think it was a great generosity, a great
patriotism.”
A
presidency source who spoke on the matter of Jonathan’s speculated prosecution
cast further doubts on plans to quiz him. He said, “I doubt if there are any
such plans in the immediate. There is no reason to. Don’t forget there are
legal sides to the issue of prosecution.
“The
only petition to have Jonathan arrested that I know of is the one by a so
called Mr Ikenna Ejezie which is already stewed in controversy. The integrity
of the petition and the petitioner has been queried.”
He
added, “There is nothing concrete for the security agencies to work with yet.”
Members
of the civil society have, however, expressed serious concerns over alleged
moves to bury the anti- corruption war under the cloak of friendship. A
convener of one of such groups queried Buhari’s show of sentiment.
“This
debt of gratitude being sold by Buhari towards a man who presided over the
greatest rot in Nigeria’s history is unnecessary and uncalled for.”
Alluding
to the various reports which allegedly have shown manifest pilfering of public
funds by senior officials of the Jonathan administration, he said, “GEJ cannot
claim ignorance of all that happened under his nose. Remember, the buck stops
on the president’s table.”
Ripples
Nigeria had on Wednesday reported that the presidency may be adopting a
somewhat reconciliatory approach in the anti-corruption war. Titled, ‘How ObJ,
others stopped Buhari from naming looters,” the report adduced need for strong
caution as reason why presidency sources wanted the issue of alleged looters
treated with utmost care.
Source: RipplesNigeria
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