SERAP, CACOL, CD Back Soyinka: Trial Of Past Leaders, Long Overdue

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, and the Campaign for Democracy, CD, have reacted to Wole Soyinka’s call for trial of Nigeria’s past leaders.

The Nobel Laurette had asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe some past leader so that its anti-corruption war will be won.

SERAP, in a statement by its Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said the trial of the country’s corrupt past leaders was long overdue.

The statement read, “It appears we have not started taking on past leaders in the government’s fight against corruption. These leaders left the economy in a shambles.

“A party was in power for 16 years and all we saw was looting. I agree with Soyinka that we have to call our leaders to account.

“It is not only the executive; the judiciary should also be involved. The trial is overdue.”

CACOL, on its own part said, “All past leaders are supposed to have been on trial for various corruption and human rights violation.

“A lot of Nigerians know that these past leaders are pathetically corrupt and the present administration should summon the courage to bring them to justice,” CACOL Director, Debo Adeniran said.

Similarly, the CD President, Usman Abdul, said the fight against corruption will be a mere ‘witch hunt’ until the past leaders were being tried by EFCC.

“The fight against corruption will be a mere witch-hunt until we scratch these past leaders.

“I agree with Prof. Soyinka that the government must prosecute these past leaders alleged to be corrupt. The trials of all of them are long overdue.”