By Emmanuel Daudu, Abuja
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that his administration would be leaving behind a legacy of zero tolerance for corruption disclosing that the fight against corruption has been in the front boner of his administration right from the onset.
President Muhammadu Buhari who spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, stressed further saying, “as I depart office in a rely of months, I have left in the back of a legacy of zero-tolerance for corruption for our teaming youths and to each and every citizen. For me, corruption is Evil and must be vehemently rejected in all ramifications via all Nigerians anywhere, anytime.
“It is by using integrity, respect for rule of law, due process, and true patriotism that we will make Nigeria the kingdom of our dream.”
The President made the statement in Abuja while declaring the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC event open at the National Judicial Institute, Jabi, yesterday 26th January 2023.
The Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption’s (PACAC) conference with the theme: “The Fight Against Corruption. The Past, the Present, and the Future” examined the anti-corruption campaigns and evaluated the fight against corruption in the country holistically.
Earlier, giving a goodwill message, the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, lamented that the judiciary has not shown authentic dedication to the warfare in opposition to corruption.
He said, “I express regret to the several Judges in this who have tested their commitment to the struggle, solely to discover their patriotic efforts set apart and dismantled at the best level. This re-occurring phenomenon has no doubt dampened the enthusiasm of the decreased Courts.
“I have no intention of going into any detail about these judicial lapses in a public forum, however, I am compelled to request the Supreme Court to evaluate the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Justice Ngajiwa v. FRN [2018] four NWLR (PL. 1609) 301, in which that courtroom held that no judicial officer may want to be arrested and tried for a criminal offense committed in the route of his judicial obligations besides the rely being first referred to the National Judicial Council. In this case, the Judge did not even deny that he acquired the bribe, yet he used to be discharged.
“The reverberations of that decision have been genuinely devastating in the fight against corruption. All Judges under trial for corruption in quite a few courts had been discharged due to the fact of this judgment and thus, all back to their obligation stations consisting of the Supreme Court, to carry on as judicial officers.
“It used to be a terrible blow to the anti-corruption agencies and the hostilities against corruption. How does a Judge discharge on technical grounds in a charge of corruption deal with a man or woman charged earlier than him for corruption? What will be the destiny of the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria, if each expert association is given the pre-emptive proper to deal with crimes committed by its members alternatively than being charged and tried in a court?
“The hostilities towards corruption can’t be successful in these circumstances. The Judiciary has to be dedicated to it, otherwise, the conflict cannot be won”, he urged.
Also speaking at the event, Abubakar Malami, SAN, CON Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice at the High-level Stakeholders’ Conference in a keynote address fashioned innovative ways to which corruption can be inhibited if not totally curbed.
According to him, “engage with the anti-corruption agencies to improve investigation and prosecution of corruption cases. Engage with judges to address delays and other constraints. Build effective consensus among the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.
Ensure compliance with due process and rule of law in the fight against corruption”.
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