The anti-graft agencies are the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr Hamzat Lawal, Founder of “Follow The Money”, an initiative under Connected Development (CODE), an NGO, made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Lawal said that the call for investigation became imperative following the discovery of government storehouses for COVID-19 palliatives and the looting spree of these food and material resources across the country.

“It should be recalled that in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic early this year, the Follow The Money team across the 36 States had been tracking intervention funds and materials disbursed to State Governments to cushion the impact of the pandemic.

“A total of 57 Freedom of Information letters were received by 27 State Government agencies, requesting details of COVID-19 funds and the distribution of palliatives but only six states responded.

“They assured that palliatives were distributed accordingly, even though they refused to provide details of distribution and evidence of the same.

“The discovery of palliatives hideouts further indicates a systemic failure in governance and a distrust in leadership.’’

Lawal said that there was no reason the distribution of the items should have been delayed knowing that the coronavirus pandemic worsened the country’s economic situation and increased poverty level.

He said that the discovery further exposed the rot and persistent corruption in the Nigerian system.

“The Nigerian government continues to thwart the possibility of gaining the trust of its citizens, especially with its opacity and poor accountability, which have now materialised in a mob action and heavy looting of COVID-19 palliatives,’’ he said

Lawal said that there was an urgent need for the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to prioritise addressing the lapses identified ranging from operational mistakes to gross mismanagement of logistics, leading to the recent palliatives looting.

He said that the EFCC and the ICPC should thoroughly investigate procurement fraud and mishandling of COVID-19-related funding and resources at State and Federal level, bringing culprits to justice.

He added that the National Assembly should also hold public hearings on the Palliatives looting and citizens properly briefed on outcomes.

He added that public officials should be held accountable for the lapses in efficiency adding that Nigerians deserved better public service delivery.

Ms Kevwe Oghide,Communications Director, CODE, said that the Follow The Money movement under CODE was initiated to advocate, visualise and track government spending and international aid.

Oghide added that the initiative lets Nigerians to know how effective these funds had been in the rural communities.

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Dare described the death of Isiaka Jimoh, an Ogbomoso indigene, alongside a few injured youths during the protest as sad and regrettable.

The minister, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media, Mr John Joshua-Akanji on Sunday in Abuja, stressed the need to bring to justice, all those responsible for the death of the protesting youth.

The minister, who spoke with Isiaka’s mother, commiserated with her and the entire family, promising that those responsible would be made to face the full wrath of the law for their despicable action.

He promised to visit the family of the deceased shortly.

Our correspondent reports that one of the injured students, Oluwadamilare Gbolohunmi, was also said to have received a call from the minister, while receiving treatment at the hospital.

The minister pledged to ensure his safety as well as the payment of his medical bill before being discharged from the hospital.

“The past few days have been troubling. The demands of the youth for an end to SARS and police brutality must be taken seriously.

“Protests are not, in themselves, unlawful but they must be done in a peaceful manner and not allowed to be hijacked by hoodlums.

“Government is committed to a revamp of the system and must be given a chance to do this,” the minister said.

Dare said that the Federal Government was working with relevant stakeholders to reform the police, in line with international best practice.

“There is a renewed commitment at the highest level of government to institute far-reaching reforms that will see a better era of policing.

“Our youths are our greatest resources and we must protect them, and not waste them,” Dare said.

He said that plans were underway for further meetings in Abuja during the week as well as consultations with youth groups towards the start of a dialogue process.

It was reported that Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State had also condemned the shooting by the police during the protest.

It was also reported that President Muhammadu Buhari had, on Friday, met with the Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, with a pledge to ensure reforms in the police.

Thousands of protesters, mostly youths, across the country have been demanding for an end to police brutality and the scrapping of SARS, owing to alleged brutality of its men.

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The Press Secretary to the Minister, Mr Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Dingyadi said the idea was to secure justice for the victims and reprimand erring officers involved in such violation of citizens’ right and unprofessional conducts.

He expressed concern over the incessant report of infractions against personnel of the squad and other Police operational units.

The Minister called on the leadership of the Nigeria Police to strengthen its outfits responsible for monitoring of personnel to ensure professional and improved service delivery.

He said the recent call for scrapping of SARS was a strong feedback mechanism to improve searchlight into SARS activities and reform the unit for better efficiency.

The minister said the incident in Ughelli area of Delta was perpetrated by operatives of a unit different from SARS.

He urged Nigerians to be circumspect in calling for outright disbandment of the squad set up to tackle armed robbery and other violent crimes in Nigeria.

Dingyadi said the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu had announced some measures aimed at curtailing the excesses of SARS personnel.

According to him, the newly inaugurated Servicom Unit of the Ministry of Police Affairs has been mandated to work closely with the Police Public Complaint Unit and relevant department of the Police Service Commission.

He said the idea was to fast-track the resolution of all cases of infractions against police personnel and ensure that erring officers were brought to book to serve as deterrent to others.

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