President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday night charged Nigerians that have evidence against any corrupt persons in his government to make it available to his administration.
He gave the charge while answering questions during a live programme tagged ‘The Candidates’ debate for the 2019 general elections.
Buhari was reacting to the allegations that his government’s anti corruption war was selective and against the opposition, while shielding members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The President was asked why the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir David Lawal, and other persons in his government have not been persecuted inspite of the fight against corruption.
Buhari said that the onus was on the person making allegations to provide evidence why the accused should be prosecuted.
He said, “That is not fair criticism of the government. I don’t think there is anybody that is being pointed out as corrupt in the last dispensation which we looked the other direction.
“I told you why I have to be careful and the public should help us, if there are strong allegations that is backed up with evidences, bank accounts, names of companies floated, contracts awarded, then we take them before the courts through EFCC and ICPC and we have to trust the system and allow them to complete investigation.
“If we just take people in as we did during the military and lock them up, the present democracy a multi party democracy does not approve that.
“If you accuse any person, you have to provide evidence in court for him to be prosecuted, So, if there is strong allegations, the government may decide to ask people to go like the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation we asked him to go.
“The matter is already before the EFCC and I believe that a directive has been issued to charge him and all persons who have cases before the EFCC.” he stated.
