By Taiwo Oyewole
A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Good has warned against developing cold feet in prosecution of Senator Shehu Buba Umar, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District over alleged links to banditry financing and sponsorship, adding that fair and non-discriminatory investigation should reveal the truth.
The group in a statement on Wednesday by its Spokesperson, Adedeji Abdulsalam said that the delayed institutional investigation of Buba posed danger to his integrity and security of the nation. He said that the matters could not be resolved through political statements or social-media arguments.
“They must be investigated by competent state institutions, based on evidence, due process and the rule of law. We frown at the delay in investigation and prosecution of Senator Shehu Buba Umar over these allegations.
“It is important to recognise that Nigeria’s security crisis is too serious to permit either political protection or trial by social media. Where credible evidence exists that any individual is financing, facilitating, arming, training, harboring or materially supporting bandit groups, the person should be investigated and prosecuted where a case is established. Equally, those who deliberately fabricate serious allegations should be held accountable in accordance with the law,” he said.
The Coalition called for an independent, impartial and evidence-based investigation by the relevant security agencies into all claims concerning Senator Buba.
“All relevant evidence should be independently verified, with Senator Buba afforded due process and expected to cooperate fully. Where credible evidence establishes an offence, the law should take its course; equally, where claims are proven to have been deliberately fabricated, appropriate legal action should follow,” he said.
The group urged Nigerians against turning the issue to ethnic, religious or political division.
