The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has faulted the nomination of the former Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Boni Haruna in the ministerial list of President Goodluck Jonathan.The President has sent a list of twelve ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, its Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran condemned the choice of Boni Haruna and averred that his nomination makes a mess of the anti-corruption war of the federal government.
He said, “It is very unfortunate that despite the barrage of allegations against Boni Haruna, Mr. President could still nominate him for ministerial appointment. This confirmed our fear that President Jonathan himself is neck-deep in corruption, hence he wouldn’t have find it easy to romance people of questionable character so openly. How could the President that claimed he’s working assiduously to rid the country of corruption nominate an accused into his cabinet? Is it because there’s dearth of people with impeccable pedigree that the President is left with no other choice than Boni Haruna?
This same Boni Haruna has been arraigned on a 28 count charges of fraud and embezzlement of public fund during his administration as governor of Adamawa State between 1999 and 2007. He was arraigned alongside one Mohammed Inuwa Bassi, a former Minority Leader in the Adamawa State House of Assembly, John Babani Elias, his aide and Al-Akim Investment Nigeria Limited. They were first arraigned in 2008.
Also, Haruna was alleged to have on or about the 13th day of November, 2002 at Yola fraudulently uttered a Guaranty Trust Bank Plc Cheque no.0348501 dated 13/11/2002 in the sum of N 10,000,000.00 drawn on account number no 3613406139110 to Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, operated by him in the name of Mohammed Inuwa Bassi , with intent that the said cheque may be acted as genuine and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 3 (2) (a) of Miscellaneous offences Act, Cap 410 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 as amended by the Tribunals ( certain consequential Amendments, etc) Decree no 62 of 1999 and punishable under Section 3 (2) of the same Act.
Similarly, he was alleged to have on or about the 12th day of March, 2003 while he was still a governor, fraudulently uttered a Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, cheque no. 3049628 dated 12/3/2003 in the sum of N16,125,000.00 drawn on account number no, 361 3406139110 to Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, operated by him, in the name of Mohammed Inuwa Bassi with intent that the said cheque may be acted upon as genuine.
It is shameful thing that such ‘fraudster’ could be nominated as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The anti-corruption crusade however called on the Senate to reject any ministerial nominee of questionable records, most especially those indicted or facing corruption charges with the anti-graft agencies.
