Rights Lawyer Petitions Interior Minister Over Alleged Corruption in NSCDC,Suleja Prison Escape

May 18, 2024

A former prosecutor for the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Properties, Tosin Ojaomo, has petitioned the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, demanding immediate suspension of the Commandant-General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi.

Ojaomo, in the petition he also copied to President Bola Tinubu; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; and the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, said there was need for Audi to temporarily step aside, pending the conclusion of the on-going investigation of corruption allegations against the NSCDC.

He anchored the request on Section 8 of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, 2003 (as amended) and Section 11 of the Interpretation Act, 2004, which he said empowered the minister to recommend the appointment and removal from office of any person appointed by the President to the office of the Commandant-General of the NSCDC.

The petition, dated May 15, which was sighted by Vanguard on Friday, reads: “We are compelled to make this request as the investigation of the agency cannot be thoroughly and discreetly conducted if the current Commandant General of the NSCDC is allowed to continue in office while the investigation continues because most of the financial activities of the agency which form the subject-matter of the investigation are conducted under the current CG’s watch.

“It will be in the interest of public safety and to safeguard the investigation process to prevent any possible interference in the investigation, that we request immediate recommendation of the suspension of the current commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to allow for an unfettered investigation into the subject matters of the investigation.”