A rights advocacy group, Socio-Economic
Rights and Accountability Project, has countered the argument by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, that “budget
padding” is not a known crime under any Nigerian law.
SERAP had written petitions to
anti-graft agencies in the country calling for the probe of Dogara and
others and also demanded their resignation from office pending the
outcome of the probe.
SERAP, in a statement on Sunday by its
Executive Director, Adetokunbi Mumuni, was reacting to Dogara’s comment
where he reportedly said he was unperturbed by the raging budget
padding allegation as he believed that budget padding was not recognised
by any Nigerian law as illegal.
Dogara was quoted to have said that,
“Budget padding is not an offence. What is padding? I studied Law and I
have been in the legislature and all this period I have never heard of
the word padding being an offence under any law…Why should I be worried?
As far as I am concerned, I am not worried over anything.”
SERAP, however, argued that contrary to
Dogara’s view, budget padding was tantamount to corruption, which was
against Nigerian laws.
The group said budget padding was in the
class of offences such as abuse of office, embezzlement, diversion and
misappropriation of public funds, conspiracy to act corruptly and
illicit enrichment, which, it said were a violation of the UN Convention
against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.
SERAP also argued that provisions of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act and the Corrupt Practices
and Other Related Offences Act criminalise budget padding.
It said, “The allegations against Mr.
Dogara and other principal officials of the House of Representatives
also suggest a subversion of the budget process, which, in itself, is a
crime and also a fundamental breach of constitutional provisions and an
affront on internationally recognised human rights.
“A prima facie case of corruption is
established when elected officials are allegedly influenced to act
contrary to their obligations of office by the prospect of financial
gain to themselves.
“Budget padding also amounts to
corruption as the action is against the public interest. Any appearance
of corruption in the budget process can result in a cynical public
losing interest in political participation altogether. And democracy
can’t work unless Nigerians have faith in those who govern them.”
Punch
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