The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has asked the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to take responsibility by ensuring justice prevailed in the ongoing drug case of a suspended former head of Police Intelligence Response Team, DCP Abba Kyari.
The confraternity in a statement by its Capoon, Abiola Owoaje, on Friday, and titled, ‘Abba Kyari Drug Scandal: Beyond the Drama’, said the president must take responsibility for the embattled officer’s mess by salvaging Nigeria’s sullied image occasioned by the drug scandal.
The PUNCH had reported that moments after Kyari was declared wanted by the NDLEA, the Nigeria Police Force, through the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, announced Kyari’s arrest.
The police subsequently handed Kyari over to NDLEA on Monday.
But, Owoaje on Friday, blamed the Kyari’s drug business on what he described as the president’s “laid-back approach” to issues bordering on corruption.
He said, “President Muhammadu Buhari must take responsibility for this mess. His laid-back approach to the issues of corruption and impunity has emboldened state officials and law enforcement agents to elevate official corruption and impunity to statecraft.
“He should immediately ensure that all the clogs that could impede the swift and efficacious dispensation of justice in this particular case are promptly dismantled. All indicted dramatis personae (in official and unofficial capacities) in this unfolding show of shame must be made subject to the tenets of the rule of law.
“The President should as a matter of urgency ensure that at his instance, a high-powered independent and transparent probe reveal the extent of involvement of state actors, and those found culpable and still serving should be dismissed and prosecuted.”
Continuing, the NAS Capoon said “More importantly, the President has a moral and legal duty to allay the fears of many Nigerians who view this Kyari drug saga as an orchestrated ploy to delay his extradition to the United States to face money laundering charges.
“Nigerians, wearied by a litany of pernicious lies and propaganda by the current administration, and also having watched state officials habitually perpetrate injurious acts without consequences, can hardly be blamed for lack of trust.
“The Kyari saga exposes Nigeria to further global scrutiny of unprecedented dimensions, and President Buhari has another opportunity to salvage the continually fading image of Nigeria and that of his administration by ensuring that the wheel of justice is not compromised at any stage. Nigerians are watching.”
