The Young Guardians of Accountability (YGA) have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), urging them to investigate and prosecute Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, for alleged abuse of office.
The group has accused Badaru, who also served as the former governor of Jigawa State, of breaching critical provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (Cap C15, LFN 2004). According to their petition, Badaru continues to hold directorship roles in several private companies, which is a direct violation of federal regulations barring public officers from engaging in private business activities.
The list of companies allegedly controlled by Badaru includes:
TALAMIZ NIGERIA LIMITED
TALAMIZ PETROLEUM NIG. LTD
SOCARTALAMIZ LTD
GULFSTREAM LOGISTICS LIMITED
BABURA LINE LIMITED
EGYPTIAN PHARMACEUTICALS AND HOSPITALS LIMITED
BIA BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED
NIGERIA-NIGER CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE LTD/GTE
NIGERIAN-IRAN BUSINESS COUNCIL LTD/GT
The petition highlights that Badaru has continued to file annual returns for these companies, with records as recent as the previous year, and is allegedly operating a licensed Bureau de Change (BDC) while holding a federal ministerial position. This, according to the YGA, constitutes a serious breach of the Code of Conduct Act, which prohibits public officers from holding multiple directorships, especially in businesses that may pose a conflict of interest, such as a BDC.
Call for Investigation into Potential Money Laundering Activities
The petition further calls for a review of Badaru’s asset declarations to determine if he has fully disclosed his business involvements. The YGA has expressed concern that his actions, particularly in managing companies tied to the sensitive financial sector, could indicate possible corruption and money laundering. With the Ministry of Defence managing substantial state funds, the petition suggests that these companies could be used to misappropriate public resources.
The group has called for the EFCC and ICPC to take the following actions:
1. Investigate the Allegations: Conduct a comprehensive investigation into Badaru’s business activities and financial dealings.
2. Review Asset Declarations: Verify whether Badaru has fully disclosed his involvement with these companies in his asset declarations.
3. Suspend and Prosecute: Suspend Badaru from his ministerial position pending investigations, and prosecute him if found guilty.
4. Recover Misappropriated Funds: Trace and recover any public funds that may have been diverted through these companies.
The YGA also warned that Badaru’s actions undermine public trust in the integrity of the nation’s leadership. They stressed that his continued role as Minister of Defence could pose a threat to national security, considering the potential for abuse of power and the mismanagement of public resources.
Adediran Raymond, Chairman of the Young Guardians of Accountability, signed the petition, urging swift and decisive action from the authorities to uphold transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public service.
