Public Interest Disclosure: Request for Review of Alleged Compromised Prosecution and Administrative Irregularities at NILDS

This publication is issued as a public interest disclosure pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, and in furtherance of the principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. Its purpose is to draw the attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), relevant oversight institutions, and the Nigerian public to a set of allegations that warrant careful and independent review.

The issues discussed herein concern allegations surrounding the discontinuance of a previous prosecution involving Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman, currently the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), as well as subsequent administrative and financial concerns linked to his tenure. All matters raised remain allegations and claims until properly investigated by competent authorities. Nothing in this publication should be read as a declaration of guilt or a determination of facts.

Available information and public commentary have raised questions regarding the circumstances under which an EFCC prosecution involving Professor Suleiman was discontinued during the tenure of a former Attorney-General of the Federation. It has been alleged that the decision to discontinue the matter may have been influenced by political considerations or inducements. While these claims have not been judicially tested, the absence of a detailed and transparent public explanation has contributed to ongoing concerns about prosecutorial independence and equality before the law.

Following the discontinuance of the said prosecution, further allegations emerged relating to the administration of NILDS. These include claims of weakened internal governance structures, alleged financial and procurement irregularities, and perceived departures from established principles of meritocracy, accountability, and institutional discipline. These assertions, though unproven, have persisted in stakeholder discussions and public discourse, raising questions about oversight and compliance with applicable public sector regulations.

The significance of these allegations extends beyond any single individual. NILDS occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s democratic architecture, with a mandate to strengthen legislative capacity, promote democratic values, and support good governance. Any perception of compromised accountability or administrative irregularity within such an institution, if left unexamined, risks undermining public confidence in democratic institutions more broadly.

This disclosure is therefore made not as a personal grievance, political statement, or media accusation, but as a call for institutional review in the public interest. It recognises the presumption of innocence and affirms that only a lawful, independent, and professional investigation can establish the true state of affairs.

Accordingly, it is respectfully suggested that the appropriate authorities, particularly the EFCC within its statutory mandate, consider:

• Reviewing the circumstances surrounding the discontinuance of the earlier prosecution involving Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman;

• Assessing whether due process was followed and whether prosecutorial discretion was exercised free from improper influence;

• Examining related administrative and financial allegations connected to the management of NILDS where jurisdictionally appropriate; and

• Taking any actions deemed necessary, in accordance with the law, to reinforce transparency, accountability, and public trust.

This publication is made in good faith and solely in the interest of promoting institutional integrity, lawful governance, and public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework. It is hoped that the matters raised will be evaluated objectively and addressed through established legal and administrative processes.

Yours faithfully,

Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman