A coalition of civil society organisations under the Civil Society Alliance Against Corruption and Abuse of Office (CSAACAO) has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the Surveyor General of the Federation pending an independent investigation into allegations of abuse of office, disputed land transactions and administrative misconduct.
The coalition also announced plans to stage a peaceful protest in Abuja on July 16 to press for what it described as accountability and institutional reforms in the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation.
In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja and jointly signed by its National President, Comrade Solomon Adesina, and National Secretary, Amb. Fatima Ibrahim, the coalition said the suspension was necessary to allow for what it described as a comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigation into allegations surrounding the office.
According to the group, it has received petitions and complaints from concerned stakeholders alleging that the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation has been linked to questionable land-related activities in Lagos State, where government authority was allegedly used to interfere in legitimate land ownership matters.
The coalition further claimed that information available to it suggested that individuals connected with the office may have participated in activities relating to disputed land transactions in some affected areas, adding that the allegations should be independently investigated by the appropriate authorities.
“Public institutions are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, fairness, accountability and respect for due process. Any allegation suggesting otherwise deserves urgent and impartial attention from the appropriate authorities,”the statement read.
CSAACAO also alleged that it had received reports indicating that a senior government official may have improperly influenced matters connected with some disputed lands, stressing that the claims require an independent probe.
The coalition further stated that it was aware of reports that a former governor of Lagos State, said to have been affected by the disputed land matters, was considering legal action against the Surveyor General of the Federation, adding that any aggrieved party has the constitutional right to seek judicial redress.
Beyond the land-related allegations, the coalition said it had also received complaints from individuals who identified themselves as staff members of the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation.
According to the group, the complaints centred on alleged poor staff welfare, lack of transparency in administrative processes, high-handed leadership and an atmosphere of intimidation, which it claimed had negatively affected staff morale and productivity.
“The complaints reflect growing dissatisfaction among some employees over what they described as poor staff welfare, lack of transparency in administrative processes and an alleged atmosphere of intimidation within the organisation,”the coalition stated.
It maintained that the allegations should be subjected to an independent investigation in the interest of accountability and public confidence.
The coalition therefore urged President Tinubu to immediately suspend and subsequently remove the Surveyor General of the Federation to pave the way for what it described as a thorough and independent investigation into all allegations surrounding his tenure.
It also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and other relevant agencies to investigate allegations relating to abuse of office, disputed land transactions, abuse of administrative powers, financial impropriety and any other unlawful acts that may have been committed.
Announcing the planned protest, the coalition said civil society organisations, anti-corruption advocates, professional bodies and concerned Nigerians would converge in Abuja on July 16 to demand transparency, accountability and a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
“We call on all relevant authorities to act decisively in the interest of justice and the Nigerian people. No public official should be above the law, and every allegation of corruption or abuse of office must be investigated fairly and without prejudice,”the statement added.
