Group Asks EFCC To Revisit Case Against BPE DG, Others
A group, Rule of Law Advocates (RoLA), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to revisit a case filed against the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Alex Okoh, and others.
The case in question is numbered ID/1432/C/2015, filed at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on the 25th of April, 2015 by the EFCC, between the Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Bolanle Babalakin, Alex Okoh, Stabilini Vision Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited, and Renix Nigeria Limited; bothering on fraudulent retention of proceeds from criminal conduct.
RoLA wondered why this particular case has been lingering in the shadows since 2015.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Dauda John, RoLA claimed that appointing people like Alex Okoh undergoing trial into public office lowers the bar in the quest for probity and accountability.
The group said even though Okoh’s trial for financial crime predates the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, appointing him as the DG of BPE amounts to making a mockery of Buhari’s stance on the rule of law.
“Although, we understand, attempts allegedly have been made in the past to stifle the case, we urge you to please proceed with the prosecution of this case. The enforcement of the law is mandatory, and there should be no sacred cows. People must be held accountable for their actions no matter whose ox is gored,” the statement read in part.
RoLA added that to oppose corruption is the highest obligation of patriotism and therefore, the interest of the country must be upheld at all times.
Okoh was appointed the Director General of the BPE on Thursday, April 13, 2017, by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. Prior to his appointment, he was the Managing Partner of Ashford & McGuire Consulting Ltd, a leading, wholly indigenous management consulting firm.
