President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed in Iran, that those who looted Nigeria’s wealth under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan have started to return stolen funds, in secret.
While speaking at a forum with Nigerian community in Tehran, Iran, President Buhari said those accused of corruption would be prosecuted, adding that the accusation must be thoroughly investigated in order to gather enough evidence for them to face trial.
President Muhammadu Buhari further explained that it was easier for him to arrest and put corrupt individuals in protective custody during his tenure as a military Head of State than in a democratic dispensation, where he had to follow rule of law and due process, which he said had slowed down the war on corruption.
“On corruption; yes, they are still innocent. But, we are collecting documents and some of them have started returning something voluntarily. But we want all”.
“When we get those documents, we will formally charge them to court and then we will tell Nigerians to know those who abused trust when they are entrusted with public funds. So, the day of reckoning is gradually approaching.”
President Buhari also said the sabotage and theft of gas were undermining the efforts of government to increase power supply in the country. To tackle the problem, the President announced that existing Military Task-Forces would be reorganized to ensure a successful protection of the network of gas pipelines.
“Although some improvement in power had been recorded in the recent period, sabotage of pipeline installations continues to be a problem”.
He said Nigeria had everything it takes to generate enough power.
“Power is a running battle because the saboteurs are still there. We have the potential. We have gas, we have qualified people but we are contending with a lot of saboteurs, who go and blow up installations. “When gas is pumped to Egbin and such other power stations, thieves and saboteurs such as the militants cut those supplies.”
He assured that the military task-forces with representation from the Army, Navy, Air Force, the Police and the secret services would be reconstituted to secure the pipelines, adding that “Supplies will become steady; there will be less sabotage as we secure the pipelines.”
He spoke of the determination to combat Boko Haram insurgency, stressing that peace would soon return to the troubled north-east.
Buhari said a lot had been achieved following the reorganization of the military top command as well as increased equipment supply and training.
President used the opportunity to blame the last administration for the high rate of unemployment in the country, saying it was due to the devastating blow to the economy through corruption and incompetence.
