Concern Nigerian Youths for Good Governance (CNYGG) has defended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), urging Global Integrity Watch (GIW) to avoid what it described as political interference over audit-related allegations against the commission.
The group said accountability should be pursued fairly and in line with due process rather than through public condemnation.
It stressed that an audit query should not be treated as proof of corruption or financial misconduct.
“An audit observation, financial discrepancy or request for clarification must not automatically be interpreted as evidence of fraud, corruption or misappropriation,” the group said.
CNYGG noted that the reported audit observations involving about ₦1.409 billion should be carefully examined alongside management responses and supporting documents.
The group said NiDCOM should be allowed to explain the issues through the appropriate statutory channels without facing what it called a media trial.
It welcomed the commission’s readiness to present relevant records to the National Assembly and the Office of the Auditor-General whenever officially required.
The organisation also urged GIW to distinguish between audit observations, allegations and proven cases of wrongdoing before making public conclusions.
CNYGG warned that anti-corruption campaigns should not be used to damage the reputation of public institutions or serve political interests.
It further called on GIW to ensure that all its public allegations are backed by credible evidence and to operate with transparency in its own activities.
The group maintained that Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the management of NiDCOM deserve fairness, due process and the opportunity to respond to the issues raised against the commission.
“Our position is not that any public institution should be exempt from scrutiny. Rather, we insist that scrutiny must be evidence-based, impartial and conducted in accordance with the law,” the group stated.
Concern Nigerian Youths for Good Governance (CNYGG) has defended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), urging Global Integrity Watch (GIW) to avoid what it described as political interference over audit-related allegations against the commission.
The group said accountability should be pursued fairly and in line with due process rather than through public condemnation.
It stressed that an audit query should not be treated as proof of corruption or financial misconduct.
“An audit observation, financial discrepancy or request for clarification must not automatically be interpreted as evidence of fraud, corruption or misappropriation,” the group said.
CNYGG noted that the reported audit observations involving about ₦1.409 billion should be carefully examined alongside management responses and supporting documents.
The group said NiDCOM should be allowed to explain the issues through the appropriate statutory channels without facing what it called a media trial.
It welcomed the commission’s readiness to present relevant records to the National Assembly and the Office of the Auditor-General whenever officially required.
The organisation also urged GIW to distinguish between audit observations, allegations and proven cases of wrongdoing before making public conclusions.
CNYGG warned that anti-corruption campaigns should not be used to damage the reputation of public institutions or serve political interests.
It further called on GIW to ensure that all its public allegations are backed by credible evidence and to operate with transparency in its own activities.
The group maintained that Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the management of NiDCOM deserve fairness, due process and the opportunity to respond to the issues raised against the commission.
“Our position is not that any public institution should be exempt from scrutiny. Rather, we insist that scrutiny must be evidence-based, impartial and conducted in accordance with the law,” the group stated.
