A civil society organisation, Concerned Gombe Citizens, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a full-scale investigation into allegations surrounding the acquisition of multiple high-value properties in Abuja by former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
The group, in a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Convener, Ibrahim Ilyas Kaltungo, urged both anti-graft agencies to immediately investigate reports alleging that the former minister acquired luxury residential properties in the Wuse area of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the organisation, although the claims remain allegations, the reports and growing public debate surrounding the alleged acquisitions raise serious accountability concerns that warrant a transparent, impartial and independent investigation.
It maintained that public office is a sacred trust and that every public official entrusted with managing public resources must be prepared to account for his or her assets whenever legitimate questions arise.
The group argued that where concerns exist over wealth or assets that appear disproportionate to legitimate earnings, anti-corruption agencies have a constitutional responsibility to establish the facts through lawful investigations.
Concerned Gombe Citizens called on the EFCC and ICPC to conduct a comprehensive probe into the allegations, determine whether the reported properties were lawfully acquired and ascertain whether their acquisition complied with Nigeria’s anti-corruption, public procurement and asset declaration laws.
It further urged the agencies to scrutinise all relevant financial records, property ownership documents and sources of funding connected to the alleged acquisitions, insisting that the findings of any investigation should be made public in order to strengthen transparency and restore public confidence in the country’s anti-corruption campaign.
“We urge the EFCC and ICPC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations regarding the acquisition of luxury properties linked to Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami,” the statement said.
The group added that if any breach of the law is established, appropriate legal action should be taken without fear or favour, stressing that no former or serving public official should be shielded from investigation because of political influence, status or previous office.
It warned that selective justice erodes public confidence in democratic institutions, while impartial enforcement of the law reinforces accountability, transparency and good governance.
Reaffirming its commitment to the fight against corruption, Concerned Gombe Citizens urged both anti-graft agencies to treat the allegations with the seriousness they deserve and conduct an independent investigation in line with the Constitution and all applicable laws.