Obono-Obla reiterates FG's commitment to fighting corruption
- The federal government has reiterated its commitment to fighting corruption in Nigeria
- Buhari's aide, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, said this government needs more than three years to solve the nation's corruption problems
- According to him, the government needs the support of everyone in taming corruption in the country
The special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on prosecution, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla has reiterated the federal government's commitment in strengthening the anti-corruption fight in Nigeria.
Obono-Obla made the statement at the official launch of DoroCorruption Mobile App and Inauguration of Lawyers Network Against Corruption in Abuja on Thursday, March 14.
He, however, noted that three years is not enough to fight corruption in the country.
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His words: “Government is not mincing words in the fight against corruption. People are still skeptical, but this government won't use three years to solve our corruption problems. The challenge we have is that we don't have the support of the society, but I can assure you that government means business.
“My panel will investigate assets of public officers, but have you given us information on public officers who have assets that are beyond their legitimate earnings?
“We know them. Most of the buildings in Abuja are owned by directors in public service. How much are they earning? You know these people, they are your neighbours and you don’t give us information. How then do we help government fight corruption?
“We need the support of civil society, the civil society should assist the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in getting information on those that have properties abroad but don’t pay tax in Nigeria. This would help in taming corruption in the country.”
The Cross River-born presidential aide urged lawyers in the country to key into the anti-corruption fight of the federal government.
Delivering a keynote address at the event, the convener of Protest to Power and co-convener of Say No Campaign Nigeria, Jaiye Gaskia, urged lawyers in the country to place ethical issues at the front-burner when faced with issues of corruption.
His words: “If oversight issues are instantly played, we'll be able to flag issues of corruption. If the battle is going to be won, ethical issues are placed at the centre.
“There are ethical issues in the legal profession and we want o see a commitment to it by lawyers when it comes to issues of corruption. This is why we are launching this app so citizens can track and report cases of corruption that they witnessed in the society.”
On his part, the chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Abuja branch, Ezenwa Anummu, described the event as an important day for the NBA Abuja. According to him, with the launch, the NBA Abuja is “strategically positioned to give life to the anti-corruption fight of the present administration.”
He noted that policies such as the Open Government Partnership, the procurement act and the Freedom of Information bill shows the federal government's commitment to fighting corruption.
There were also goodwill messages from officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, office of the Vice President and the MacArthur Foundation.
Legit.ng gathered DoroCorruption is a platform that encourages citizens to take real and deliberate action against corruption. It provides the opportunity through its radio platform and now mobile app for citizens to actively engage issues of corruption, report cases of corruption and monitor them to ensure accountability and justice.
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Two months ago, the federal government's Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property asked several prominent Nigerians to forfeit their residences.
Deputy Senate president Ike Ekweremadu, former speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloysius Katsina-Alu and former deputy speaker and current Senator Usman Bayero Nafada were all given 21 days to forfeit their residences to the federal government.
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Source: Legit.ng
