A group, the Northern Emancipation Network, has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to reinforce his administration’s war against corruption by appointing Hamza Al Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late dictator, Sani Abacha, as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The group made the call at a press conference addressed by its Coordinator, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, which was made available to CEOAFRICA news. He described Mr Al-Mustapha as a ‘brave, fearless and honest intelligence officer’ capable of taking the administration’s corruption war to the desired level.

“While we commend Mr President’s committed war against corruption, we advise him to reinforce the EFCC with an equally committed and dedicated head like Major Hamza Al Mustapha who is capable of moving the graft war to the desired level,” he said.

The group said corrupt politicians particularly the “bankrupt northern political leadership” are already jittery with the release of Mr Al Mustapha from prison after 14 years of incarceration.

According to the group, even after going through 14 years of unjust persecution in the hands of these people, Mr Al-Mustapha is not an officer known to harbour vengeance and will therefore carry out the corruption war unbiased without fear or favour.

“Driven by a burning desire to reinvent Nigeria and it’s battalion of neglected and deprived young people, Al-Mustapha could fearlessly confront the embarrassing official corruption in the country and bring it to its knees,” Mr Suleiman said.

Mr Al-Mustapha was in charge of the safety of Mr Abacha, reputed as one of Nigeria’s most corrupt leaders who stole the country blind, stashing away billions of dollars in foreign accounts.

The former CSO was arrested after Mr Abacha’s death in 1998, and was recently released after 14 years in jail. Army authorities say he remains in service as a Major.

Under the EFCC law, the commission’s chairman must be a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency, and must not be below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent.

The person should also possess not less than 15 years cognate experience. Past and serving heads of the commission were drafted from the police.