The Save Nigeria Group (SNG), yesterday challenged the authorities of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to within seven days commence immediate investigation and prosecution of the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva over allegations of fraud leveled against him by the State Financial Management Committee led by the former Presidential Adviser, Mr. Timi Alaibe.
The group warned that failure of the anti-corruption agency to initiate investigation and prosecution of the former Governor over the alleged fraud?? would force them to embark on protest march on the streets of Abuja and? Bayelsa State capital to mount pressure on the Commission.
The members of the SNG in Bayelsa State, led by the Coordinator, Comrade Tony Ile, after a review of the audit report of the Timi Alaibe Committee, argued that though the group had during the tenure of Timipre Sylva?? cried out over Sylva’s alleged fraudulent activities and misrule, the audit report on the tenure had vindicated their position.
The SNG said,”we want the EFCC to know that our earlier outcry during the misrule of Sylva and demonstrations against his misrule were met with beating, arrest and detention by the Police in June and July? of last year.
Then, we were severely beaten along with our parents, arrested and detained for having the courage to confront the cancerous administration whose activities can only be likened to that of the late ex-president? Idi Amin of Uganda.
“Today, startling revelation of the state finance by the Bayelsa State Financial Management Review Committee set up by the present administration has vindicated members of Save Nigeria Group Chapter on the flagrant corruption characterized by deceit of the previous administration.
It is now on record that the state, under Sylva, received N99.5B in 2007; N 164.7bn in 2008; N106.3bn in 2009; N 110.6bn in 2010 and N 189.1bn in 2011 as revenue that accrued to the state from the Federation account.”