The Federal Government yesterday restated that it would prosecute those found culpable in the report of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on fuel subsidy scam.
In a press statement signed by the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice yesterday, government said that although it would prosecute anyone found wanting irrespective of the person’s status in the society, but such would be carried out with due process.
While reacting to the demands from some quarters, especially the Nigeria Labour Congress that gave it an ultimatum to try the offenders or else it would embark on a nationwide strike, Adoke explained that the exercise carried out by the House of Representatives was mainly a fact-finding one.
He noted that the report and the resolution of the entire House of Reps on the matter were yet to be made available to the executive arm of the government. Adoke’s statement read in part: “The attention of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to recent calls by some groups and well meaning Nigerians for the prosecution of those allegedly indicted in the Report of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime.
“It is pertinent to reiterate government’s position as aptly captured by Mr. President’s initial reaction to the Report of the Fuel Subsidy probe to the effect that any person found wanting will be prosecuted, irrespective of the person’s standing in the society.
“Nigerians must however appreciate that in discharging this onerous responsibility, government must be guided by the dictates of the rule of law and due process as required of any democratically elected and responsible government.
“In this regard, the need to ensure that thorough investigations are carried out by relevant law enforcement agencies cannot be overemphasized. This is more so, as the exercise carried out by the House of Representatives is mainly fact-finding.