BREAKING NEWS, Politics
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THE civil society organisations, CSO, have urged the federal government to make use of credible legislations in its fight against corruption. The group said the passage of some anti-corruption bills before the National Assembly will assist the government drastically in prosecuting the war in the country.
The CSO, at a two-day roundtable on anti-corruption bills in Abuja, between November 3 and 4, said some bills like Proceeds of Crime Agency, POCA, Bill, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre, NFIC, Bill, Whistle Blowers Protection, WBP, Bill, and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, MLA, Bill, would be of great help in the fight to end corruption in Nigeria.
The roundtable meeting with the theme: “Strengthening Nigeria’s Anti-Graft War through Credible Legislation,” was organised by the Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption-MIIVOC and Development Measures, with support from the Justice for All.
Participants at the roundtable were drawn from civil society groups and individuals, working on anti-corruption and good governance issues, as well as the media. After deliberations and contributions to the issues raised, participants acknowledged the seeming resolve by the federal government to vigorously combat corruption and ensure that the commonwealth is committed to promoting national development and serving public interest and the wellbeing of all Nigerians rather than the narrow and selfish interest of the privileged minority elites.
The participants observed that despite enormous efforts and resources committed to the fight against corruption, it has been more of motion without movement, sound and fury without the expected significant impact. The number of convictions recorded and assets recovered so far is not proportionate to the enormity of efforts and the propaganda accompanying it, while the few recovered assets are not deployed to serve public interest or even satisfactorily accounted for.
They noted that the whistle blowers and witnesses have remained endangered species in their patriotic efforts to contribute to the fight against corruption by reporting and exposing corruption; and there is no legislation to protect whistle blowers and witnesses whose contributions to the fight against corruption are significant.
Participants noted the widespread feelings and opinion that the ongoing war against corruption is not comprehensive, and that it appears to target only a few rather than every corrupt persons and institutions in Nigeria and that there is a tendency to rationalise the side-tracking of the rule of law in the fight against corruption.
The noted the role of certain institutions and sectors, particularly, the banking sector in sabotaging and frustrating the fight against corruption by continuing to collude with corrupt persons in public and private sectors, and serving as conduits for illicit transactions and, siphoning and transfer of looted funds.
They urged the president and heads of anti-corruption agencies to be sensitive and responsive to public opinion on the administration’s approaches to the anti-corruption war in other to enlist and enjoy public confidence and support and enhance the legitimacy of the anti-corruption crusade.
The civil society also advocated that the anti-corruption war should be prosecuted comprehensively without fear or favour as only a credible and result oriented fight will guarantee public support and ensure that the commonwealth is made available to promote national development and serve the wellbeing of all Nigerians rather than the narrow and selfish interest of the privileged minority elites.
— Nov 21, 2016 @ 01:00 GMT
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