Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigeria cannot continue to celebrate criminals who enrich themselves from Nigeria’s commonwealth, thinking corruption will disappear.
He added that it was discouraging for Law enforcement Officers to painstakingly investigate a case and the culprits find ways around the Judiciary to escape trials.
Obasanjo said this at a public lecture at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan Oyo State, to mark the 14th anniversary of Dorcas Oke Hope Alive Initiative (DOHAL), with theme, ‘Corruption and the challenges of the African Child’.
The former President stated that no society in the World can claim to have completely eradicated corruption, though many countries have successfully reduced corruption to its barest minimum.
“Many countries have not made corruption a way of life. There are some examples of countries from Asia and Africa, we can emulate if we are serious about the fight against corruption as we should be”.
He mentioned that when he was elected President in 1999, his administration took the issue of corruption very seriously by establishing the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as well as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), among other anti-corruption initiatives.
He maintained that these institutions were provided the political support needed to fight corruption and they did their best.
Obasanjo noted that when he left office, the EFCC and ICPC became very politicized and weakened to the point that they were unable to discharge their duties.
He faulted religious leaders who anointed criminals for their ill-gotten wealth and demonize the poor. He mentioned that those who are corrupt, should not be made to feel welcome in families, religious bodies and societies.
“If a person strips himself or herself of humanity and dignity by stealing public or private funds, we should not clothe them, respect or admire them”.
“We must show our young ones that there is dignity in labour and reward in transparency and integrity”.
He noted that corruption breeds poverty, crime, insecurity, instability and generally inhibits growth and development. He emphasized that there is need to support and strengthen the anti-corruption institutions especially in the areas of prosecution.
“We must strengthen our law enforcement and justice system and encourage them to complement each other in the fight against corruption”.
“The Law Enforcement Agencies or the Government alone cannot fight corruption. They must be supported by a Judiciary that is upright and transparent”.
