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A lawyer and public affairs commentator, Maxwell Opara, has called on the Chief of Staff to the President, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Accountant-General of the Federation to step aside over their alleged links to the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) investigation.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Opara argued that public officials under criminal investigation should not remain in office, insisting that doing so could undermine public confidence in the probe.
According to him, the alleged creation of the fake agency, the allocation of office space and the opening of bank accounts in its name indicated that criminal offences had already been established and should be thoroughly investigated.
He maintained that while an alleged fake director had been arrested, other public officials mentioned in the investigation should not receive preferential treatment because of their positions.
Opara stressed that no one is above the law, urging investigators to ensure that all those implicated are treated equally in accordance with due process.
He also faulted the decision to invite some officials for questioning while allowing them to remain in office, arguing that they should voluntarily step aside to guarantee an independent and transparent investigation.
According to him, retaining sensitive public offices while under investigation could create the perception that the officials might influence the outcome of the probe.
Commenting on reports of financial transactions allegedly involving a deceased intermediary, Opara said it would be the responsibility of the courts to determine the relevance and admissibility of any evidence presented during trial.
He further described the reported decision by the President's Chief of Staff to institute a defamation suit against the principal suspect as a distraction from the ongoing investigation, insisting that the focus should remain on establishing the facts.
Opara expressed concern that the status of some of the individuals named in the investigation could affect public perception of the anti-corruption process, urging relevant agencies to demonstrate impartiality.
He concluded that Nigerians' confidence in the investigation would depend on whether the law is applied fairly and consistently to everyone involved, irrespective of office or influence.
