Some groups have demanded a probe into the activities of the presidential committee on audit of defence equipment procurement from 2007 to 2015.
They also want all those found culpable brought to book.
At a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Princess Ajibola, convener of one of the groups, said as a civil society organisation that demands accountability from government to the governed, it is sad with the committee of public safety, national security and intelligence of the federal house of representatives for the way and manner it has handled the probe of the activities of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement, (CADEP) from 2007-2015.
“The Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria is desirous of the content of the probe by the House of Representatives to be made public in the overall interest of justice and fairness to all concerned,” she said.
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“It is common knowledge that the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015 made a mess of the mandate given to them by President Muhammadu Buhari, it is however not enough to continue to shield them from public scrutiny as evident in the cold foot suddenly developed by the House of Representatives.
“At this point, the Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria wishes to educate the members of the House of Representatives that they were elected by the people to represent the interest of the people and not to protect the interest of a select few that do not have the interest of the people at heart through their actions and inaction.”
Ajibola said it is worthy of note to highlight that the mandate given to the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015 was primarily to bring to justice those that committed crimes against the Nigerian people by mismanaging billions of naira meant for the purchase of arms and ammunition to help in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.
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“To the dismay of all persons with a conscience, these individuals instead decided to cut deals and enrich themselves at the expense of the sacred mandate of unravelling the circumstances the lead to the mismanagement of public funds and also to recover same from these individuals and organizations,” she said.
“At this point, the Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria cannot fathom why the House of Representatives Committee on Public Safety, National Security and Intelligence who indeed confessed in public that it was in possession of a series of petitions from members of the public and defence contractors who have complained about the activities of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015.
“It was against this background that the House of Representatives launched a probe and indeed conducted a public hearing on the contentious issue, and only for them to suddenly go mute on the outcome of their inquiry.
“We must add that this sudden muteness indeed raised a flurry of questions that needed answers. The muteness also questioned the sincerity of purpose of the members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Safety, National Security and Intelligence.
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“The Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria demands that justice be served in this sensitive matter of national importance in the interest of all and sundry.”
She urged the national assembly to as a matter of urgency institute a probe that would unravel as a first what happened with the earlier probe report of the house of representatives Committee on Public Safety, National Security and Intelligence.
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