Saraki faults anti-graft war

Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday faulted the approach to the fight against corruption in the country, while calling for its review.

Speaking at the launching of a book tagged, “Antidotes for corruption: the Nigerian Story,” by Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi) in Abuja, Saraki said the fight against corruption appeared to have favoured punishment over deterrence.

“Talking about antidotes, I am convinced that we must return to that very basic medical axiom that prevention is better than cure.

“Perhaps, the reason our fight against corruption has met with rather limited success is that we appeared to have favoured punishment over deterrence. The problem with that approach however, is that the justice system in any democracy is primarily inclined to protect the fundamental rights of citizens.

“Therefore, it continues to presume every accused as innocent until proven guilty. Most often, it is difficult to establish guilt beyond all reasonable doubts as required by our laws. It requires months, if not years of painstaking investigations. It requires highly experienced and technically sound investigation and forensic officers. It requires anticorruption agents and agencies that are truly independent and manifestly insulated from political interference and manipulation,” he said.

Saraki said because the anticorruption agencies are under pressure to justify their existence and show that they are working, they often tend to prefer the show over the substance.

“However, while the show might provide momentary excitement or even public applause, it does not substitute for painstaking investigation that can guarantee convictions. I reiterate therefore, that we must review our approaches in favour of building systems that make it a lot more difficult to carry out corrupt acts or to find a safe haven for corruption proceeds within our borders, “he said.

Saraki said the Senate was considering several anti-corruption bills and will pass the Whistle Blower Protection Bill by July, 2017.

In his speech, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara said unless strong institutions were built and strengthened, Nigeria may end up punishing corruption but not fighting corruption.

Senators and members of the House of Representatives purchased copies of the book worth N27 million.