- The anti-corruption war of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is on track
- This is the submission Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
- The group made its stance known on Wednesday, May 31 in Lagos
Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, Executive Director, SERAP, says the anti-corruption war of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is on track.
Mumuni spoke in Lagos on Wednesday, May 31 at the launch of SERAP’s latest report titled, “Combating Grand Corruption: An Agenda for Institutional Reforms in Anti-corruption Strategies”.
He faulted claims in some quarters that the anti-graft campaign was selective, saying anyone who flouted the nation’s laws was supposed to face the music.
President Buhari's anti-corruption war is well documented
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His words: “This is my professional opinion as a lawyer and social rights campaigner. I believe that the war against corruption by this administration is on track.
“Until Buhari came along, nobody knew how much of our money was being stolen, especially in the guise of buying weapons to combat insurgency.
“So, it does not really matter if you belong to the All Progressives Congress or the Peoples Democratic Party; if you cannot account for over 2 billion dollars, then you deserve to face prosecution.”
He explained that corruption eroded confidence in, and respect for democratic institutions, and was as an obstacle to social, economic and human development.
Mumuni said the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, however, face challenges of inadequate legal framework and resources.
As part of SERAP’s recommendations, he urged government at all levels to provide stronger and more concerted approach to tackling grand corruption in Nigeria.
Mumuni urged the Attorney General of the Federation and those of the states to seek stiffer penalties for convicted corrupt officials and to minimise the use of plea bargaining to serve as deterrent.
Also speaking, Dr Olajumoke Akiode, Director, Centre for Ethics and Sustainable Development, called for attitudinal change in the fight against corruption.
“Until the citizens come together and say `enough is enough` , we cannot win this fight against corruption,” she said. (NAN)
It is now a common sight for huge sums of foreign currencies to be recovered from serving and former public office holders
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Meanwhile, a member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Kolawole Babatunde has said it is possible to win elections in Nigeria without spending millions of naira.
Babatunde who represents Akoko South East/South West in Ondo state, made the comment at a colloquim on youths and the future of democracy in Nigeria.
The colloquim was hosted by the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) in partnership with the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) on Friday, May 26.
Watch the NAIJ.com TV video report of the anti-corruption walk of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that held in Abuja recently.
