By ONOZURE DANIA
ABUJA – Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, yesterday, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, to begin what it termed a thorough, transparent and effective investigation into allegations that Abuja-based Italian construction company, Gitto Construzioni Generali Nigeria Limited, GCG, gave to President Goodluck Jonathan as 'gift' a 2,500-seat church building in Otuoke, his country home in Bayelsa State.
SERAP, in a petition by its Executive Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, to EFCC, said: "We are seriously concerned that given the huge sum of money involved and the timing of the church building 'gift,' the act may amount to a bribe to the government by a construction company that has sought and obtained huge contracts from the Federal Government.
"Procurement and investment agreements corrupted by this kind of 'gift' invariably lead to increased costs not only in higher prices but also in needlessly expanded and ultimately inefficient projects.
"Both the acts of giving and accepting the disguised bribe undermine the institutions and values of democracy, ethical values and justice, and jeopardises sustainable development and the rule of law. The act also hurt the government and ordinary Nigerians, who may suffer as a result of bad execution of projects by GCG."
SERAP urged EFCC to exert its mandate, power, and resources to ensure that the allegations are fully and effectively investigated, the findings of the investigation published and the company and other suspected perpetrators held liable. "Foreign bribery is a crime even if the briber would have been awarded a contract or business advantage."
Vanguard Nigeria