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Campaign for Accountable Governance through Elections (CAGE) Secretariat: WARDC 17/19, Allen Avenue, Oshopey Plaza, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Tel: 234-1-4977101, 2341 7915198, E mail: cage.nigeria@yahoo.com
CAGE asks Senate panel probing allegations of corruption in the PTDF to uphold transparency, accountability and be even-handed



As the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) begins the probe of allegations of corruption in the PTDF this week, the Campaign for Accountable Governance through Elections (CAGE) today asked the Committee to uphold transparency, accountability and fairness in its Constitutional tasks.

The Senate Committee was established following reports that out of about $700 million realized during the 2002/2003 bidding rounds only about $145 is known to have been transferred to PTDF account. It was further alleged that the current National Chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmadu Ali received N5 million from the PTDF account for the endowment of a public health and comparative medicine at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

Corruption such as the type alleged in the PTDF is a serious threat to the rule of law, the stability and security of societies. It jeopardizes the fair distribution of resources since it undermines fundamental democratic values and institutions and impedes social, economic and political development and the enjoyment of human rights.

The Senate, in discharging its Constitutional functions can play a pre-eminent role in the drive to eradicate corruption in Nigeria.

Because the above allegations are grave breaches of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Act of 2000; and the UN Convention against Corruption (UNAC) which Nigeria recently ratified, it is very important for the members of the Senate Committee to uphold transparency, accountability and to be even-handed if the truth on the alleged corruption in the PTDF is to be fully established. Otherwise, the money allegedly stolen from the PTDF may find its way into the political process, thus undermining the electoral processes ahead of the 2007 elections.

The public hearing of the alleged corruption in the PTDF offers a unique opportunity to the Senate to redeem its public image and to show that it is capable of contributing to an effective implementation of national anti-corruption laws and Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption. Otherwise, its credibility in the eyes of ordinary citizens will continue to suffer.

The Senate panel must not work secretively and undemocratically, and should not be dominated by the thinking (and interests) of particular groups or powers. Instead, the investigation by the Senate Committee must be fully transparent in the sense that the process is fully visible to the public and sufficiently independent to be recognized as legitimate by all stakeholders.

A full, open and transparent investigation by the Senate Committee into the allegations above would help to achieve a corruption-free electoral process ahead of 2007, and contribute to the restoration of transparency, accountability, good governance and the rule of law in the next democratic dispensation.

CAGE calls on the Senate Committee to make maximum use of the Constitutional and other laws by ensuring and promoting transparency, accountability and fairness in its investigation into the alleged corruption in the PTDF. Specifically, the Senate Committee should:

• Ensure a thorough, open and efficient investigation into the allegations of corruption in the PTDF mentioned above
• Make public the findings of its investigation
• Identify those suspected to be responsible and publish their names
• Insist that the appropriate government institutions bring to justice anyone suspected to be responsible for acts of corruption highlighted above
• Send the findings of its investigation to the National Electoral Commission and request that the Commission ensure that those who are suspected to be responsible for acts of corruption in the PTDF are excluded from the 2007 electoral process.

Background information about CAGE

CAGE is a coalition of civil society organizations established early 2006 to promote and advocate for human rights and transparency-driven elections in Nigeria. CAGE seeks to promote human rights reforms through and in – the electoral and related processes. It aims to engage, encourage and motivate the citizens to use their voting rights to demand human rights reforms and accountability from political parties, candidates standing for elections, and current and any future governments. CAGE is committed to monitoring human rights promises and commitments, in addition to those related to transparency and accountability made before, during and after elections. CAGE has identified essential features of transparency and accountability to include issues such as free and fair elections, access to information, and the rule of law. The coalition aims to contribute to greater democracy, improved governance and sound economic policies.