29th March, 2018
The Chairman
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
REQUEST FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF COMMUNICATION MINISTER, MR. ADEBAYO SHITTU
The Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) is a coalition of over One Hundred and Fifty anti-corruption organizations, whose primary aim is to constructively combat corruption vigorously and to ensure the effective monitoring of the various Anti-graft agencies in the fight against corruption. In effect, CSNAC contributes towards the enthronement of transparency, accountability, probity and total commitment in the fight to eradicate corruption in Nigeria.
CSNAC is seriously concerned by the allegations of an employee of the Minister, accusing him of acquiring, within a space of twenty-nine (29) months, the Minister bought a brand new N93 million printing press, he also bought over twenty-five (25) luxury vehicles for himself, his family members, concubines and cronies, despite having eight official vehicles attached to his office.
This allegation was reported by Sahara Reporters on March 22, 2018 through a letter written by a staff, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare, a Special Assistant (Media) to Mr. Adebayo Shittu. Mr. Oluwadamilare had accused his boss, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, of greed and wickedness. The allegations were contained in a letter to the Minister dated March 12, 2018 demanding payment of his emoluments to the tune of N13 million, allegedly owed by the Minister from November 2015 to March 2018.
The aide equally accused the Minister of spending way beyond his legitimate earnings on his gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. Investments running into hundreds of millions of Naira in his less than three years in office are said o be scattered all over Oyo State. He equally accused Mr. Shittu of collecting millions in travel expenses and estacodes of more than $800,000 since his inauguration as Minister less than three (3) years ago.
Recently, the same Minister was accused by the media of acquiring properties way above his legitimate salaries in Abuja. CSNAC believes that your Commission should take appropriate measures as may be necessary to investigate the allegations to establish any case of financial impropriety, breach of trust and abuse of office. The allegations have assumed a national embarrassment and obviously a blight on the anti-corruption agenda of the government. it is a clear departure from the assumed spartan image of the current government.
CSNAC is hereby calling on you to use your good office to beam your eagle eyes on the financial records of Mr. Adebayo Shittu (Communication Minister of the President) and to probe where necessary and ensure that all loopholes that encourage corrupt practices in the Communication Ministry and sector as a whole are blocked and prevented.
Yours faithfully,
Olanrewaju Suraju
(CSNAC)
