The Catholic Bishop of Abuja Arch Diocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has urged the Buhari administration to pardon Nigerians involved in money laundering, if they are willing to return all their stolen funds.

Mr. Onaiyekan stated this at the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Nyanya, Abuja, as part of his new year message to the nation.

A PREMIUM TIMES reporter attended the mass, and interviewed the bishop after the Service to clarify some of the comments he made during the mass.

Mr. Onaiyekan said the ongoing anti-corruption campaign of the federal government has shown that graft can only be eradicated over time, not immediately. He said the fight against fraudulent acts must be handled with care.

“It is okay to expose people and disgrace them, but that will not solve the problem,” the archbishop said.

“If we want our money back, we have to strategize so that the countries that are keeping our money can feel challenged to return them.

“The time has come such that once we have those facts we can call those nations thieves that they are, and say bring back our money.”

Mr. Onaiyekan said the best strategy towards ensuring the return of the stolen monies would be to reach an agreement with the people involved in money laundering, to have them return what they have stolen.

“But the easiest way to get the money back is if you can convince the people to go and bring the money back themselves, then it will be easy.
“One way to convince people to go and bring back such money is to convince them that you will not disgrace them, after they have done that,” Mr. Onaiyekan stated”.

He therefore said a special kind of amnesty might be required.

Mr. Onaiyekan however added that his idea of amnesty does not include plea bargain, which only leads to the return of part, not all, stolen funds.

“This is different from the popular plea bargaining where you tell a person who has stolen hundred billion to return fifty billion and be forgiven; that for me is not the right thing.

“If you have stolen hundred million and you are ready to bring back all, then we will leave you and not send you to jail, Nigeria can do that,” said Mr. Onaiyekan.

He said corruption is embedded in the Nigerian system and therefore requires a systemic change to reverse the situation.

“It was built into the system, so the system must change, so that corruption can be fully dealt with,” Mr. Onaiyekan said.

The archbishop also charged the federal government to swing into proper action in the new year, for the fulfilment of its campaign promises.

He noted that the beginning of 2015 saw various forms of campaigns, from all sides, with numerous promises made, adding that the success of the All Progressives Congress, which was built on a promise of change would be in the spotlight in the new year.

“At the beginning of 2015, it was election campaign; the party that won promised change.
“We can say that from May(2015) till now, it has been a period of consolidating, making strategies and preparing.

“Now that we have entered 2016, it will now be a year in which we will now begin to see exactly where we are going and how we are moving,” Mr. Onaiyekan said.

He added that the movement will entail all of the nation’s all, with security and anti-corruption campaign at the forefront.

“Moving in terms of security, finished mopped-up operation with Boko haram, dialogue with those who would like to talk to us and forgive those who have repented.

“We must find a way to discuss, negotiate the peace and tranquillity of our nation,” he said.

Also in his new year message for the world, Pope Francis said the major cause of violence globally is the growing rate of indifference portrayed by those who otherwise could have helped reduce the pain suffered by victims of violence.

The Pope in his message for the celebration of the 49th world day of peace, Friday, said conflicts arise, not just because there are terrorists or bad leaders, but because people look on and do nothing when it doesn’t affect them.

The message, which is titled: “Let us overcome indifference so that we can win peace,” also noted that the prolonged neglect of victims of violence will only result in further chaos.

Source:www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/196049-bishop-onaiyekan-seeks-amnesty-for-corrupt-officials-who-return-stolen-funds.html

what is he smoking?

My goodness! What's up with all this mis-yanning now?

The law is different from the Bible; one (the Bible) encourages forgiveness after repentance, the other (the law), clearly spells out the punishment that must follow when crimes are committed.

Many have been lynched-- burnt to ashes for crimes far lesser than this, how then would an iconic religious person as the Bishop advocate for these criminals.

They must face the law whether or not they return their loots in full or part.

Lemme just believe the Bishop's cook, made a mistake by cooking with igboh leaves, rather than pumpkin leaves and that, his speech was influenced by the intoxicating effect of the leaf.

If na so free everybody for prison na

Wise talk baba. Even me, if I paark naija money, I cant return it and still go to jail. I will rather go to jail or return it willingly and be forgiven.
Dragging this corruption case one after the other will never finish in 20yrs to come cos over 70% of ppl in the last Admin is quilty. With a fogiveness after returning, a lot will be achieved in a short time.

what is dis man saying for Christ sake?

That may only be acceptable if they will return every gaddem kobo they stole and not a part of it.

People need to be punished for their crimes including forfeiting their properties and serving jail term.

PassingShot:
That may only be acceptable if they will return every gaddem kobo they stole and not a part of it.

People need to be punished for their crimes including forfeiting their properties and serving jail term.

I never knew justice could be tilted to favour the Elites. Many have been lynched and many more are rotting in jail, awaiting trial for far lesser crimes.

We cannot project to the common man that the Elites are untouchable.

Money laudering is stealing, and it is punishable by law whether the monies are returned or not. Period!!

cc: lalasticalala. Mynd44 Seun front page

Who does he think he is? Mtchew, the fastor should be probed for this childish talk.


If an average Nigerian can be burnt alive for stealing meat from a pot of soup, why should they be pardoned? You need to see how police arrest the likes of Dasuki with respect. Can you say the same about an average Nigerian? Even if you are not a thiefe, they will use hammer, chisel, chain, electricity, nail, cutlass and other deadly tools to beat you until you start shouting "im a thief! Im a thief" or else you die and nothing will happen

Even chain saw

See as th man dey fall hand