Lawyers United Against Corruption (LUAC) has apologised to Engr Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), over corruption allegation it made against him.
The apology was contained in a letter dated July 21, 2023, titled: ‘Letter Of Apology/Declaration Of Support Re: Donation Of A Toyota Coastal Bus To National
National Association Of Nigerian Students (Nans) As Bribe To Cover Up Your Complicity In Alleged Massive Corruption, Contract Fraud, Procurement Racketeering Running Into Billions Of Naira And Flagrant Abuse Of Office’, a copy which was made available to CITIZENS VANGUARD.
The group referred to its letter of July 11, 2023 in which it accused the TETFUND boss of bribery and corruption as well as contract racketeering, while demanding Echono’s resignation, stressing that it had realised that the allegations were false and unfounded.
In the quoted letter, the group had also alleged that Echono’s donation of a Coaster bus was to the National Association Of Nigerian Students (NANS) was a bribe To cover up his complicity in alleged massive corruption, which it had discovered was not a true position of affairs in TETFUND and that the allegations against Echono were false and unfounded.
The LUAC, letter signed by Jarńes Oladunjoye, and copied by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, stated that it had become clearer that the allegations against the TETFUND boss were concocted and circulated by some unscrupulous individuals as part of a smear campaign to truncate Echono’s tenure for selfish gains.
The group stressed: “We, therefore wish to sincerely apologise through this medium for any embarrassment, emotional trauma and mental stress our misguided position may have caused you.
“Being an umbrella body of patriotic lawyers, we can only but support the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who since assumption of office on Monday, May 29, 2023 has shown genuine intention to deliver democratic dividends to the citizens.
“Rather than generate smoke where there is no fire, LUAC has chosen to support and collaborate with TETFUND under your leadership in any way possible to ensure that it delivers on the core mandate of using funding alongside project management for the rehabilitation, restoration and consolidation of tertiary education in Nigeria.
“The records we have gathered in the course of further investigation are glaring that you are an accomplished technocrat who has within a short period brought innovation, growth and transformation to TETFUND.
“Under your watch as Executive Secretary, TETFUND has initiated and implemented a series of reforms to eliminate corruption, reduce delivery time of projects, prevent cost escalation and improve general efficiency in the discharge of the Fund’s mandate.
“We note particularly how during a public ceremony held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) on Tuesday, May 9, 2022, you directed that the Vice-Chancellors, Provosts and Rectors of tertiary institutions are to advertise and procure their projects through open, competitive bidding to achieve value for money.
“Little wonder, Nigerians from all walks of life are in one accord in their appraisal of your stewardship as one which exemplifies nothing but transparency and excellence.
“We have confidence that you are a go-getter and transformational leader who will take TETFUND to an enviable height.
“Let us add that LUAC will henceforth support you in all ramifications to sustain the patriotic service you are rendering to our fatherland.”
