Senate to amend anti–graft laws to meet realities

The Nigerian senate has initiated a series of legislative amendments aimed at further giving legal backing to the anti-corruption effort of the current administration.

The chairman, Senate Committee on AntiCorruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Abuja yesterday.

The senator who represents Kaduna North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, said; “The National Anti Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2017/2021 process is being driven by the office of the Attorney General and I am aware that we have passed the half way mark. We will be requesting an update on the implementation strategy to see if there are areas we can collaborate to ensure its success. As part of the committee’s reviewed work plan post COVID19, we have come up with a new conspectus called the Legislative Anti Corruption Strategy (LACS 2020/2021).

“This strategy will seek to give clearer direction in building a robust legal framework to support Mr. President’s anti corruption agenda. It will categorize the entities in the war against graft into the three core areas of their mandates being prevention, enforcement and criminal justice system (prosecution), which is why we will be critically examining the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.’’

He expressed appreciation with the leadership of the National Assembly over what he described as “the clear path they have provided and the ensuing collaborative environment that the nation is experiencing currently between the three arms of government.’’

He assured the anti corruption agencies and stakeholders that his office would remain accessible at all times and all views and opinions would be taken into consideration throughout the period of the review process.