The Presidency was last night fending off blows over the controversial Executive Order 6, which imposes a travel ban on about 50 prominent citizens facing corruption and money laundering charges.
Rights will be respected, the Presidency said, adding that the Executive order is neither political โnor is there any political gain behind its activation.โ
The clarification came amid the growing row over the Executive Order which President Muhammadu Buhari ordered Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami to implement to the letter.
The Atiku Campaign Organisation joined the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to castigate the action.
The organisation said the implementation of the Order could lead to capital flight and return the economy into recession.
Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) advised the government to withdraw the Executive Order and allow the courts stop suspected looters from travelling.
Some lawyers have argued that since the court has okayed the Order, a travel ban under it is not out of place.
The Alliance for New Nigerian (ANN) described the Order as โdictatorialโ, adding that there are enough safeguards in the constitution to take care of corruption with the guarantee for freedom of movement for citizens.
But presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said โthis is the first time any government is taking such a key decision to fight corruptionโ, adding that โEO 6 is not only revolutionary to the efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption but a manifestation of systemic changes that are required to to make necessary adjustments as we carry on with the war against corruption.โ
He explained that โthe very essence of the order is to make for speedy trials and conclusion of graft cases. The order is not political and there is no political gain behind its activation.โ
โThese high profile cases we are talking about have been ongoing for between seven and 10 years with no end in sight. These case were mostly originated by administrations other than this one.
โWhat is clear is that the access to these resources by the suspects has enabled them to be in a position to sometimes 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.
โThe 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.
โThe question of the constitutionality of the restriction order is answered by the fact that a court of the land has given government a clean sheet. The Executive Order is legal and constitutional and therefore implementable.
โOne of the cardinal objectives of the government under our constitution is to fight corruption. Fighting corruption is a responsibility and obligation upon the government.
On the list of the individuals affected by the ban, Shehu said: โI want to confirm to you that we have not issued any list and we are not doing so.
โThese cases that are well known and to to say this or that name is on it will open the door to further accusations, including trial by media.
โThe Immรฌgration Service and other security agencies have the mandate of the President to carry out enforcement and they will do so giving due respects to individual rights, in line with the constitution.โ
The Buhari Media Group (BMG) also rose in defence of the EO 6, saying it symbolises the efforts by the Presidency to re-invigorate the war against corruption through judicial process.
BMG Chairman Niyi Akinsiju, in an interview last night, said: โI have seen a number of responses from the main opposition party. What exactly is the issue? Mr President has made pronunciation through Executive Order in emphasising the judicial process in limiting and containing corruption in Nigeria. The spirit of the Executive Order has a strong judicial intervention.
โThe powers to pronounce forfeiture of assets and to ban suspects under investigation from travelling outside the country are simply within the confine of the court. Banning these 50 individuals from travelling is actually in consonance with the judicial process that is already being undertaken by the relevant agencies of the government.
โWhat is apparent is that the corrupt ones have accepted the manipulation of judiciary and the judicial process, but now things are changing.โ
Akinsiju explained that one of the tools to limit the manipulation of the judicial process is the Executive Order.
โWhen your assets are forfeited and you cannot travel outside the country, you will opt for a speedy trial instead of delaying it,โ he said.
