Investigate issues against social justice in public offices – Odinkalu urges PCC

The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) has been tasked to step its game by not only waiting to receive official complaints but also investigate issues against social justice and good governance in Nigeria.

Former Chairman Governing Council, National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu gave the charge at the Social Justice Conference and Award, organised by the Public Administration and Social Development Consult in collaboration with the Public Complaints Commission, on Thursday, in Abuja.

Represented by Gloria Ballasan Esq., Prof. Odinkalu said Nigeria is experiencing growing challenges as a result of poor social justice system which must not be ignored. He stressed that for any meaningful development to take place, Nigeria must embrace social justice as a moral compass.

He charged the commission to henceforth proceed to inquire about questionable situations from government agencies and its parastatals as part of efforts to sanitise the system.

He said “In 2021, over 10,366 Nigerians were killed in atrocities.
This week, we have learnt that over 53,418 have been killed in atrocities and terror in Nigeria since 2015.

“There are many Nigerians who are suffering in different dimensions. It is important that we reflect on our present realities with a view to finding solutions.

“We know that there is an ecological fund that was set aside because there was a prediction that this flood was going to come. Last week there was wide reportage that the ecological fund cannot be found. There is speculation that part of it was used in the North East, there is speculation that part of it has been squandered, whatever the situation is, it is the duty of the Public Complaints Commission to trace that money. We have a case of not just citizens suffering from this flood, some being now dead but the fact that we now have criminal negligence for which certain people should be called to account.

“Secondly, the issue of the work of Public Complaints Commission should spread into areas that we have not taken time to reveal. For instance, there are some of the Nigerian soldiers who died, who did not have to die and the question is where is the funds that was set aside for arms and ammunitions? Where are those monies located? When we have a security budget that continues to escalate but we do not have a commensurate security in terms of dispense, then we must ask the question where those monies are going.

“How is it that we have been able to man our border better when it comes to importation of rice but not when it comes to the importation of small arms and ammunitions. These are questions that the PCC needs to not just only ask but go after”.

He also pointed out that nobody in the country should be termed to be above the law adding that citizens must be treated with equity, justice and fairness at all times.

“Overtime, what we have found is that, leaders look for the very event where they can exploit the law to their own advantage, even if that means breaking the law. The moment you accept a country where the leaders are those who lead by breaking the law rather than in compliance then you are going to have problems” he added.

Speaking on the judiciary, he said; We have seen a situation where the judiciary of Nigeria has come under immense disrepute. We have seen judges and justices, their homes being raided, we have also seen how the third estate of the realm has been treated as though its the subset of the realm. You will find for instance that governors will excitedly speak about buying cars for the judges and the question is why are those budget not included in the budget?

“If we are talking about justice for all, we must be able to raise a judiciary that is fully independent and its accountable to the law.

“We must have a situation where for instance the judges can write judgements that are in opposition and feel confident because they have reviewed the law and the fact and they have applied the law based on what they know and not feel pressured to act in a certain manner.

“The role that we must play is not to sit and continue to lament, we must insist on a country where there is access and opportunity for all our judiciary and other venues of accountability”.

Also, the Chief Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission PCC, Hon. Abimbola Ayo-Yusuf who was represented by Federal Commissioner, PCC, Ekiti State, Hon. Olukayode Bamisile noted that everyone deserves equal economy, political and social rights and opportunities.

He expressed worry that most times, Nigerians fail to question those they vote into public offices which give them opportunity to act the way they do.

The Chief Commissioner expressed optimism that at the end of the conference, participants will be informed or renewed in knowledge so that they will begin to take action.

The Convener, Public Administration and Social Development Consult, Margaret Ibeku, said “Let every citizens right be the same. Let what you have, be what I have. Yes, we can’t all be rich, there will always be the poor among us but let it be that the poor do not remain poor because they are devoid of opportunities. Let every man have a level and a fair playing ground. Unequal opportunity lead to imbalance in the system.

“If we must thrive as a people, we must remember why we are together. We are together that the weak among us are protected. But what we have in Nigeria is where the rich are getting richer, the strong are stronger and they prey on the weaker ones.

“As a society we cannot continue to pretend that we have safeguarded ourselves but a day will come when you know that what you fail to do today will come for you tomorrow irrespective of whether you are rich or poor.

“It is time for us to begin to think deep.If you don’t fix healthcare a day will come when your family member will be stranded here in Nigeria. If you don’t fix drainage, the dams, a day will come when your own house will be submerged, so we must begin to speak the truth to ourselves and address issues and demand for our people to do better”.

Reacting to the ecological fund for flood, she said the PCC will look at how the funds were executed.

The theme of the conference is “Social Justice: The Bedrock of National Development”.