President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Central Bank of Nigeria will publish in due course, the names and amount of money refunded by former government officials.

He explained that a good number of people, who abused their positions, had voluntarily returned the illicit funds.

The President, however, noted that releasing their names now might jeopardise the possibility of bigger recoveries.

Buhari said this in his address at the 15th Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation annual lecture series on Friday in Abuja, with the theme, “To live in the way that honours; incorruptibility, a spiritual premise for material well being.”

The President stated that in the process of trying to recover stolen funds, the government had sought the cooperation of the countries where the loot was taken.

He said, “As I stated recently, a good number of people who abused their positions are voluntarily returning the illicit funds.

“I have heard it said that we should disclose the names of the people, and the amount returned. Yes, in due course, the Central Bank of Nigeria will make information available to the public on the surrendered funds, but I must remark that it is yet early days, and any disclosure now may jeopardise the possibility of bigger recoveries.

“But we owe Nigerians adequate information, and it shall come in due course. It is part of the collective efforts to change our land from the bastion of corruption it currently is, to a place of probity and transparency.”

The President observed that the topic of discourse at the lecture, significantly tied into his vision for Nigeria, stressing that “we must kill corruption before corruption will kill us.”

He stated that his presence at the event had to do with the resolve of his government to interface with initiatives that were fundamentally patriotic and assisting in the path to socio-economic and political recovery.

According to him, indiscipline has been taken to an unprecedented level in the country, stressing that corruption has been elevated to a way of life, and that his administration found it necessary to tackle corruption head-on.

“In this regard, we have taken steps towards recovering a reasonable amount of the money that was looted or misappropriated from public coffers. Investigations are ongoing on public officers who served, or are still serving, and those whose conduct are questionable will be compelled to accept the path of honour and surrender their loot,” he said.

Buhari explained that the anti-corruption war was not about him as a person, but about building a country where the children and the forthcoming generations could live in peace and prosperity.

He stressed that all corrupt acts would be punished, adding that there would be no friend or foe.

He said, “Quite frankly, the anti-corruption war is not strictly about me as a person, it is about building a country where our children, and the forthcoming generations, can live in peace and prosperity. When you see dilapidated infrastructure around the country, it is often the consequence of corruption.

“Poor health care, collapsed education, lack of public utilities, and decayed social services, are all products of corruption, as those entrusted with public resources put them in their private pockets. That must stop, if we want a new Nigeria. And that was why I said at another forum that people need not fear me, but they must fear the consequences of their actions.

“Corrupt acts will always be punished, and there will be no friend, no foe. We will strive to do what is fair and just at all times, but people who refuse to embrace probity should have every cause to fear.”

He expressed dismay over the poor rating of the country on the corruption perception index by Transparency International, noting that Nigeria could be known for better things other than corruption.

“Again, how do you feel year after year, when Transparency International releases its Corruption Perception Index, and Nigeria is cast in the role of a superstar on corruption?

“In 2011, out of 183 countries, Nigeria was 143 on the corruption ladder. In 2012, we were 139th out of 176. In 2013, we ranked 144 out of 177, and in 2014, we stood at 136th out of 174. Hardly a record to inspire anyone. In fact, it is sad, depressing and distressing. Our country can be known for better things other than corruption,” Buhari stated.

Pointing out that curtailing corruption might require a more broadened social engineering, Buhari expressed concern that the rule of law and its advantages, could pose a serious limitation to combating corruption when the legal system is not adequately reinforced.

“The onus, therefore, is on those who run our legal process to ensure that the corrupt does not go free through exploiting the weakness and lacuna in the system,” he noted.

The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Mathew Kukah, in his opening remarks, said the real challenge in fighting corruption is in the number of those supporting the campaign and not the population of those pretending to support it.

He said he was misunderstood when he cautioned about the way the anti-corruption war was being prosecuted, but assured that he would continue to support the campaign “whatever it takes to win the battle.”

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GEJ to top the charts with his massive swindles.

Sai Buhari. I knew my vote and support for you was not in vain

Lobatan

"Again, how do you feel year after year, when Transparency International releases its Corruption Perception Index, and Nigeria is cast in the role of a superstar on corruption?

As funny as this may sound, it's very disheartening. One couldn't have said it better than our anti corruption czar, PMB. May God help u Mr President restore our country to its glory days.

Good one, but please CBN should not only publish their names o, EFCC should do the needful too, una don hear?

Awaiting the list like JAMB result!

Voice mail. Bubu your pants are on fire and your nose is as long as a telephone wire.