Daily Times Nigeria Monday, November 21, 2016
Times Against Corruption 27
UNODC backs war against corruption, organized crime
Ï dƆƆƊ ƍƆƅƈ Ƌ ƅ ƑƏƐ Ɛ ƐƏƕ ƅ Ɔ Buhari
Buhari charges newly inaugurated boards on prudence
The need to fight corruption and enhance prudent management of resources in the MDAs toped the list of what must be done urgently to reposition Nigeria’s major revenue generating agencies as President Muhammadu Buhari recently inaugurated their Boards, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. President Muhammadu Buhari gave the charge while inaugurating the Boards of the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA),Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB). The President did not mince words when he told the new boards that they are “coming at a time when the global petroleum industry is witnessing a downturn in purchase which has also translated into dwindling production by most producer nations. He added that although “Nigeria has been hit by the misfortunes of oil industry”, but urged them to harnessing the potentials of their agencies and fulfill their expectations to the nation even at this challenging time in the oil and gas industry. The President recalled that since the arrival of this administration, “there has been an improvement in transparency through publishing monthly operational and financial report of the corporation” He added that “the major restructuring of the corporation and the liberalization of the downstream sector, are pointers to the determination and focus of the new NNPC under this administration.” “ Oil and gas industry are the country’s foreign earners therefore the importance of this boards cannot be over emphasized” he aid. “Your job should be to ensure propriety in the management of these most important national institutions. You should advise the minister and the corporation management on the most effective way for Nigeria to get more money of our assets” “My expectations from the members of these boards is for them to ensure that the NNPC charts a way to face current economic challenges” “These will involve a careful look at the ongoing reforms design to steer the corporation to chief better performance and efficiency. In addition, you should explore more innovative ways to resolve the joint venture funding constraints and other investment issues”
The current efforts to stamp out corruption and other sundry crimes in Nigeria has received the full backing of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, UNODC. The organization’s efforts over the years had helped to tackle crimes, illicit drug trade and human trafficking asell as corruption and money laundering through its active participation in various programs aimed. A statement by Sylvester Atere, National Project Officer, UNODC, Nigeria Country Office, Abuja, Daily the organization is also committed to promoting human security and the rule of law. At a recent programme organized for stakeholders drawn from the media, judiciary and anti-corruption agencies in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State capital, participants articulated the much needed action plans for holistic approach to tackle the war against crimes. The communique called on the media to be familiar with Anti-Corruption laws and support their enforcement in line with due process. The body also charged the Media on the need to advocate early consideration and passage of the Whistleblower, Justice Sector Reform and other relevant bills pending before the National Assembly. Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) were reminded of the need to build trust and confidence in the media in the fight against corruption, as well as develop strategic communication plans for their operations.
One of the major decisions was the need for government to establish special courts to tackle corruption matters, even as it wants to see that the fight against corruption is not be limited only to the federal level but should be extended to the states and LGAs. It was also suggested that media houses should establish Anti-Corruption desks and forge a national consensus in the fight against corruption including the use of the Freedom of Information FOI Act, open data, e-governance and other transparency initiative. Media managers and journalists were also urged to uphold the ethics of the profession and maintain integrity, while Media owners were encouraged to take the welfare of their staff as top priority. Other decision taken at the event include the need for the Media to promote
good governance by upholding its responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution. Participants at the event emphasize the importance of value re-orientation of citizens in the fight against corruption, even as it also recommend the need to curb institutional corruption through systemic reviews. In order to make their work more efficient and effective, the anti Corruption Agencies were urged to assist in building the capacity of the media in the fight against corruption, so that journalists will not only break anti-corruption news, but also stay on the issue. At the end of the programme, the participants commended United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Union (EU) for their support to Nigeria in the fight against corruption.
One of the properties recovered from a self-acclaimed building Engineer, Abdullahi Rilwan, in Kuje Area Council, Abuja.
Corruption threatens independence of Judiciary — Osibanjo
The recent federal government decision to prosecute corrupt judges was motivated by the need to protect the Independence of the Judiciary that is being threatened by corruption. Vice President Yemi Osibanjo recently revealed this at a programme in Lagos. The Vice President stated that the “most potent threat against judicial independence is corruption” adding that “If a litigant can buy justice, how can a compromised judge be fair or just?” According to Osibanjo “Nigeria’s formal legal tradition which is over 100 year’s old had worked hard to distinguish itself through the years to attain world class status” He noted that in the administration of justice system in Nigeria, each of the “institutions were challenged by falling standards, corruption, and abuse of office.” But Professor Osibanjo, who is also a lawyer blamed the current problems fac-
ing the Judiciary on its “reluctance to call ourselves to order” adding that “Nobody wants to be held responsible for possibly ending the career of another. So we watch the decay and gradual collapse of an excellent tradition built on the self-restraint, sacrifices and integrity of many in the past 100years” According to him, “ Chief Awomolo, SAN, had said the legal profession we fought for is not what we now have. Many past and present members of the bench have also said so. I agree with them. But he said things would improve. How?” “Let me say that we in the legal profession owe ourselves a duty to preserve the Administration of Justice System not only because it is the last hope of the common man but because this is our means of livelihood. Our profession and the credibility of the Administration of Justice System depends entirely on public confidence, once that is eroded
because of the delinquency of a few, we, the majority must fight hard against it.” It was the legendary Hon Justice Chukwudifu Oputa of blessed memory who said, “If you are a judge and you are corrupt, where do we go from there? Then everything has come to a halt. If the legislature is corrupt, you go to the judiciary for redress. If the executive is corrupt you go to the judiciary for remedy. If the judiciary itself is corrupt, where do you go from there? “Judicial independence is spoken of sometimes as though it is a favour we do to the judiciary: no it is not. It is not a favour or a privilege to them. It is the essence of our system of justice. A judge must be independent for at least one reason: so that he or she can be fair and just, without fear or favour. This is the reason why the executive must neither interfere in judicial process nor attempt to compromise judicial independence in any way”