Lawyer and public affairs commentator, Maxwell Opara has called on the Chief of Staff to the President and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to step aside over their alleged links to the fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), insisting that no public official should remain in office while under criminal investigation.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE News, Opara stated that the alleged establishment of the fake agency, the allocation of office space and the opening of bank accounts pointed to an already established criminal case that required equal treatment of all those implicated.
“There is an established crime. A fake agency was established. An office was given to the fake agency. An account was opened for the fake agency. Somebody was acting as a director in the fake agency.”
He maintained that while the alleged fake director had been arrested, other public officials mentioned in the investigation should not be treated differently.
“The Chief of Staff, the Head of Service and the Accountant-General are suspects. None of them is above the law.”
Opara criticised the decision to invite some officials for questioning while leaving them in office, arguing that such an approach could undermine public confidence in the investigation.
“If you have arrested somebody, these other suspects should be arrested like the principal suspect. Nobody is above the law.”
He further stated that public officials occupying sensitive positions should voluntarily step aside to allow an independent investigation.
“One expected all of them that are suspects in this matter to step down. If you cannot resign, step aside.”
According to him, remaining in office while under investigation creates the impression that those officials could influence the outcome of the probe.
“You cannot be a judge in your own case. People will see it as though you want to use your office to influence investigators.”
Responding to questions about evidence involving a deceased intermediary allegedly linked to financial transactions in the case, Opara said the courts would determine the weight of such evidence based on available testimony and documentary records.
“The court will decide based on the evidence presented, the testimony before it and the outcome of cross-examination.”
He also dismissed the Chief of Staff’s reported decision to pursue a defamation suit against the principal suspect, describing it as a distraction from the ongoing investigation.
“Rushing to court to sue for defamation is a distraction. The priority should be to step aside and allow the investigation to proceed.”
Opara expressed doubts about the outcome of the investigation, arguing that the seniority of those allegedly involved could affect the process.
“If they want Nigerians to believe they are fighting corruption, they should treat everybody equally. Nobody should be made a scapegoat.”
He concluded that public confidence in the investigation would depend on whether anti-corruption agencies applied the laws guiding impartially, regardless of the status or position of those implicated.
Ojo Triumph
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