Support Buhari's Anti-Corruption Agenda, Oyebode Urges Lawyers
A Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence at the University of Lagos, Professor Akin Oyebode, has urged lawyers to support the anticorruption agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari in order to transform governance in Nigeria.
Oyebode described corruption as systemic, adding that fighting it would need major contribution of lawyers.
The Professor made the apeal in Lagos last Wednesday, at a Strategic Dialogue Roundtable organised by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in collaboration with National Endowment for Democracy (NED), USA.
While commending SERAP for its unrelenting crusade in the fight against corruption, the Professor pleaded with lawyers to join the crusade and not just be only interested in their briefs.
"Corruption is systemic and we cannot just be fighting the symptoms.
"I plead with our lawyers to join the crusade and not just be only interested in their briefs, because we have seen cases of corruption fighting back.
"The monies that disappeared into private pockets are monies that could have been used to develop our infrastructure, build schools, hospitals and other facilities that could have made life more meaningful for ordinary Nigerians", Oyebode said.
Also speaking at the roundtable with the theme, "Combating Corruption and Impunity: the Imperatives of Improving the Effectiveness of Anti-Corruption Mechanisms and the Justice System in Nigeria", SERAP Executive Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, said Nigerians had for many years regularly accused government officials of using public funds not only to line their own pockets, but to maintain political control.
According to Mumuni, “The previous administration of Goodluck Jonathan was no exception. A groundswell of public frustration with endemic and gross corruption under Jonathan helped Buhari secure Nigeria’s presidency in March, 2015.
“Under Buhari’s guidance, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has launched a comprehensive anti-corruption campaign, hundreds of former and current government officials are under investigation.
“Perhaps most prominent among these is the oil minister in the Jonathan government, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is accused of presiding over $24 billion in opaque and mismanaged crude oil swap deals.
“While a report by the Auditor-General says that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit $16 billion to the Federation Account in 2014.
“The former National Security Adviser, former governors and electoral commissioners are already in court."
Mumuni however, decried the slow pace of prosecutions, saying it could deny Nigeria the opportunity to translate the anti-corruption agenda into systemic reforms.
Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade said efforts should be intensified to curb corruption in the judiciary, adding that corruption is not limited to a particular person.
Represented by the Chief Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Ogundare, the Chief Judge said, "we cannot allow corruption to exist in the judiciary because this is the last hope for the common man".
On his part, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Chairman of the roundtable, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo said Nigerians must resist corruption at all levels.
“There is a misconception that corruption is only in the highest realm of public service, this is wrong as corruption starts from the lowest ladder", he said.
The roundtable had in attendance Mr. Babatunde Ogala, former Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly’s Committee on Judiciary, Mr. Martin Ogunleye, Chairman, NBA, Lagos Branch and Mr. Nurudeen Ogbara, former Chairman, NBA Ikorodu Branch, amongst others.