Senator wants Tinubu to introduce executive bill against unexplained wealth

Senator wants Tinubu to introduce executive bill against unexplained wealth

Senator Ali Ndume has urged President Bola Tinubu to enact an executive order addressing unexplained wealth. The lawmaker, who represents Borno South under the All Progressives Congress (APC), made this call following comments made by retired Supreme Court Justice Musa Muhammad Dattijo regarding the prevalence of corruption within Nigeria’s judiciary.

Noting that countries like the UK and other parts of the world have laws to address such issues, Senator Ndume revealed that he had made several attempts to introduce bills aimed at addressing unexplained wealth.

“I have made several attempts, but there were various obstacles,” he remarked during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics. “I believe the most effective way to tackle this issue is for the bill to originate from the executive branch. In the interim, the current president should consider signing an executive order on unexplained wealth.”

Senator Ndume emphasized that there is a significant issue of unexplained wealth in the country, particularly among politicians and civil servants, which necessitates legal measures to combat.

“I am aware of civil servants who reside in homes that their salaries, life pensions, or even the assumption that they would live for 90 or 100 years, cannot afford,” Senator Ndume pointed out.

He further highlighted that the same situation applies to some politicians, especially politically exposed figures like ministers, who, as he stated, sometimes experience a significant increase in their wealth after assuming office.

Reiterating the role of politicians as public servants, Senator Ndume called upon the public to hold them accountable.

“I partially agree with your assessment,” he responded when asked if lawmakers have failed to pass bills addressing the issue of unexplained wealth in the country. “It is the public who should keep us in check, as we are here to represent them and be accountable for our actions,” the senator concluded.