…plans nationwide protest

The Arewa Progressive Assembly (APA), a prominent civil society organization, has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission(ICPC),  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch a thorough investigation into the activities of Dr. Nonye Ayeni, the Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

The group alleges that Ayeni has been involved in nepotism and abuse of office, demanding that the EFCC and ICPC take decisive action to address these allegations.

In a communique issued yesterday, APA stated that it has received numerous complaints about Ayeni’s alleged misconduct, including claims that she has used her position to award contracts to family members and friends, and has engaged in other forms of abuse in office.

The group is demanding that the anti graft agencies conduct a comprehensive and unbiased investigation into these allegations, covering all aspects of NEPC’s operations, including financial transactions, staffing decisions, and procurement processes.

“If evidence of corruption, nepotism, or abuse of office is established, APA demands that Ayeni be arrested, detained, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law, serving as a deterrent to others who may engage in similar misconduct,” the group said. “This should include freezing of her assets and seizure of documents to prevent any further manipulation or destruction of evidence.”

APA is also calling for a comprehensive forensic audit of NEPC’s recent staffing, recruitment, promotions, and procurement decisions, to ascertain whether public funds or privileges were misused, and identify those responsible for any irregularities.

The group also announced plans to kick off a nationwide civil demonstration, starting from the nation’s capital, Abuja, to pressure the EFCC and her sister body ICPC to act. The protest will be a peaceful but powerful show of the public’s demand for accountability and transparency in government agencies.

“APA’s demands are aimed at ensuring accountability, transparency, and good governance at NEPC, and demonstrating the anti-graft agencies’ commitment to tackling corruption and abuse of office in Nigeria’s public sector,” the group said. “The ICPC and EFCC have a responsibility to act swiftly and decisively in this matter, to restore public trust and confidence in the agency’s ability to combat corruption.”