Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence, Akin Oyebode has said corruption has become a crime against humanity in the country.
He also stated that Nigerians can now have hope in the anti-corruption war with the setting up of Justice Isa Ayo Salami led “ Monitoring Committee on Corruption Cases” set up by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen.
Oyebode spoke yesterday at a roundtable organised by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in collaboration with the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and held at the Citigeight Hotel, Sheraton Opebi Link Road, Ikeja Lagos.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos law lecturer who delivered paper on “Mobilizing the citizens to demand anti-corruption reforms and an end to impunity for grand corruption in Nigeria” however emphasised that “mass action by the citizens is urgently needed to put pressure on authorities to end impunity for grand corruption in the country.”
Though he admitted that the county has a set of anti-corruption laws reflecting the will and intention of the government to battle the virus to the hilt.
He pointed out that the efficacy of anti-corruption legislation coupled with judicial pronouncements, conviction and sentencing of corrupt elements would require the complement of mass action and commitment arising from general awareness and resolve to collaborate with on-going efforts. “Inevitably, government action in this regard must be undertaken for the anti-corruption struggle to bear fruit”, he stressed.
According to him, the people must be made aware of the nexus between corruption by the political leadership and their niggardly circumstances.
He contended that once the masses realised that misappropriation of the nation’s resources by leaders at various levels leads to their impoverishment, their approval and support for all measures adopted to contain graft and unjust enrichment within the polity become pretty well assured.
“The people must be enlisted in the war against corruption. Nigerians should start anti-corruption clubs in schools, radio jingles should be put in place to fight corruption, carry placards, go outside, organize sit ins like SERAP is doing presently, Nigerians should be mobilised against corruption and now take their destiny in their hands,” he said.
Oyebode decried the recent attempt by the National Assembly with the NGO bill intended to control, monitor and eventually muzzle Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the excuse that some CSOs are corrupt should not be allowed.
“Cutting off the head is not the cure for headache, the bill is an overkill. If they cage organisations like SERAP, who will fight for the masses. The government do not want anybody to act as impediment to their thievery activities”, he stated.
Activist lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) agreed with Prof. Oyebode on the need for churches, mosques and traditional rulers to stop honouring politicians without first ascertaining their source of wealth.
According to Falana, “Religious leaders should stop confusing our people. Our churches and traditional rulers should stop praying for thieves. This is how low we have sunk.
“Let our church stop conferring honours on criminals. Also our universities should be encouraged to join in the fight,” he said.
