Travel ban: Most cases predate Buhari’s administration – Presidency

The Presidency on Sunday explained that the cases of most of those affected by the travel ban on 50 prominent Nigerians started before the present administration.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, explained this to journalists following the criticism that trailed his Saturday announcement of the travel ban.

Shehu explained that the high profile cases have been ongoing for between seven to 10 years with no end in sight.

He explained further that the essence of the Executive Order 6 was to make for speedy trials and conclusion of graft cases.

He argued that the access to the resources by the suspects had enabled them to be in a position to sometime compromise investigation, prosecution and trial.

The presidential spokesman said, “In the history of independent Nigeria, this is the first time any government is taking such a key decision to fight corruption.

“EO 6 is not only revolutionary to the efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption but a manifestation of systemic changes that are required to make necessary adjustments as we carry on with the war against corruption.

“The very essence of the order is to make for speedy trials and conclusion of graft cases.

“These high profile cases we are talking about have been ongoing for between seven to 10 years with no end in sight. These case were mostly originated by administrations other than this one.

“What is clear is that the access to these resources by the suspects has enabled them to be in a composition to sometime compromise investigation, prosecution and trial. In most of the cases, the courts are held in a helpless position by legal acrobatics paid for from corrupt enrichment by the suspects.

“The new measures put in place should compel everyone involved to make for a speedy conclusion of these cases. If it is your money, you have it back. If it belongs to the public, it goes back to the treasury.”Punch