The Presidency yesterday denied releasing the names of the 50 persons placed on travel ban over corruption cases.
The Federal Government had on Saturday announced the banning of 50 high profile persons from traveling abroad over corruption cases. The ban was sequel to the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari for the full implementation of Executive Order 6
Daily Trust reports that in the statement announcing the ban, there was no names of the affected persons. However, a list has been on circulation in some national dailies (excluding this paper).
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said the presidency has not released any list and won’t do so.
“On the so-called list you asked for confirmation, I want to confirm to you that we have not issued any list and we are not doing so, “ he said.
Describing the Executive Order as revolutionary, he said its very essence was to make for speedy trials and conclusion of graft cases in the country.
“These high profile cases we are talking about have been ongoing for between seven to 10 years with no end in sight. These case were mostly originated by administrations other than this one.
“What is clear is that the access to these resources by the suspects has enabled them to be in a composition to sometime 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,” he said.
He said the new measures put in place should compel everyone involved to make for a speedy conclusion of the cases.
“If it is your money, you have it back. If it belongs to the public, it goes back to the treasury,” he said.
He said the question of the constitutionality of the restriction order was answered by the fact that a court of the land has given government a clean chit.
“The Executive Order is legal and constitutional and therefore implementable. One of the cardinal objectives of the government under our constitution is to fight corruption. Fighting corruption is a responsibility and obligation upon the government.
“The Immigration 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,” he said.
