This is because the same petition that was sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 3, which prompted the anti-graft agency to order a full investigation into the allegations, was also sent to the ICPC on February 15.
Although the ICPC is yet to take any official action on the petition submitted by a Lagos based civil organisation, Campaign against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), the EFCC's public relations officer, Femi Babafemi, confirmed to NEXT on Wednesday that the EFCC's chairperson, Farida Waziri, has ordered a full investigation into the allegations.
The petition, which was signed by CACOL's chairman, Debo Adeniran, stated that
"it is our belief that the cooperative endeavour between the House, EFCC and ICPC will go a long way in either vindicating the amiable Governor Babatunde Fashola and his government or nailing a bunch of crooks in high places who will desire to subject the poor people of Lagos State to more poverty and squalor."
CACOL believes that the truth will only be revealed when the investigation is conducted, not only by the Lagos Assembly, but also by other anti-graft agencies like EFCC and ICPC. "Everybody, no matter how high, mighty, powerful, influential or crafty must be given the opportunity to defend himself or herself openly and if found culpable, be brought to justice in an unbiased manner," Mr. Adeniran added.
According to the petition, EFCC and ICPC must step in to investigate the allegations because there are "reasons to believe that the matter is on the verge of being swept under the carpet, going by various political manoeuvrings noticeable among the ruling elite in the state and their political overlords and associated.
"No matter how laudable projects executed on behalf of the people are, its execution must be transparent and its costs must be appropriately accounted for," the petition stated.
