FORMER president Dr Goodluck Jonathan held an emergency meeting with members of his cabinet yesterday to formulate a response to the prospect of the government of President Buhari prosecuting some of them for corruption. 

Since assuming office on May 29, President Buhari has made tackling corruption and recovering stolen public funds the main preoccupation of his government. Several ministers of Dr Jonathan's government, his close associates, governors and heads of parastatals have since been questioned by anti-corruption agencies with a view to bringing charges against them. 

With daily rumours of the scale of the corruption emerging, it is feared that Dr Jonathan himself may face prosecution at some stage and the former president is keen to avoid a humiliating interrogation. In a desperate bid to defend his integrity, Dr Jonathan met with his former ministers, telling them he was not a thief in office as he is being portrayed. 

He explained how he met President Buhari recently advising him against subjecting his person and former cabinet members to media trial on alleged corruption. At the meeting, which was held at Dr Jonathan’s Abuja home a few days ago, about 15 former ministers, including two who were recalled from London and some former security chiefs attended. 

However, former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is central to the allegations against the Jonathan administration was absent. She is said to be severely ill and receiving treatment in a London hospital. 

One source who attended the meeting said: “The ex-president confided in the meeting that he was worried that the gains of his administration were being washed away daily by the allegations of corruption being reeled out by the government. He said he called the session to set the records straight and get facts because his administration was not enjoying any benefit of doubt among Nigerians, especially the media. 

Another source said the former president asked all the ex-ministers to brace for the probe ahead and keep their records intact to reply to any issues raised. In addition, key ministries, such as those of works, finance, health, aviation, education and even petroleum resources were mandated to produce their lists of achievements. 

After the meeting, Dr Jonathan appointed a former minister of national planning, Dr Abubakar Suleiman, to sign statements on cabinet issues. He immediately issued a statement condemning the ongoing trial by media, accusing the Buhari administration of trying to discredit Dr Jonathan’s government by labelling it as corrupt and irresponsible. 

According to Dr Suleiman, Dr Jonathan’s administration did not encourage corruption but fought it vigorously within the context of the rule of law and due process. He added that the Buhari administration should be fair to acknowledge the Jonathan administration’s good deeds.