A coalition of 259 anti-corruption, civil society, and human rights groups, known as the Coalition for Transparency and Economic Reforms, has called on President Bola Tinubu to facilitate the immediate handover of indicted individuals and entities to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-graft agencies for prompt trial.

COTER emphasized the urgency of recovering the country’s stolen funds and properties held by the indicted persons, urging Tinubu to take decisive action.

The coalition warned against the indicted individuals attempting to deflect blame through defensive tactics.

COTER’s President, Dr. Peter Chima Chukwu, and General Secretary, Mallam Auta Ibrahim Koko, expressed their stance on the matter.

Chukwu stated, “President Tinubu must not allow this matter to be swept under the carpet; Nigerian people and the international community are watching.”

He further commented on the defense strategies employed by the indicted individuals, asserting, “All they are doing now is mere damage control. Unfortunately, it won’t fly with the Nigerian people, Government, and the international community. They must all account for all their sins and transgressions against the Nigerian people.”

COTER urged Tinubu to ensure that the investigations are thorough and that the outcomes are transparently implemented.

The coalition stressed that the Nigerian people and the international community are keenly observing the developments.

The call comes in light of the release of part of the report from the Special Investigation Panel tasked with probing malfeasance in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Notably, former Deputy CBN Governor Tunde Lemo was mentioned in the context of the investigation into Union Bank’s acquisition by TTB.

Lemo, who defended the acquisition, received an invitation from the investigation team for a follow-up meeting.

The team noted that Lemo’s defense contradicted earlier statements made under caution by those interrogated, including Lemo himself.

The team also revealed that two foreign shareholders of TTB had ignored a previous invitation, and their failure to attend the upcoming meeting might result in the forfeiture of their purported shareholdings.