Popular Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has expressed disagreement with the Federal government's claims that the root cause of Nigeria's under-development is corruption.

Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria, stated that every capitalist society in the world was built upon exploitation, corruption and fraud, adding that this was the reason developed countries in Europe and America were more corrupt than African countries.

Speaking to Punch, Falana said;

"With respect, I totally disagree with such reductionist conclusion that say corruption is the root cause of the nation’s under-development.To the best of my knowledge, every capitalist society is built on corruption, fraud and exploitation. Western countries are much more corrupt than African countries. Hence, all the funds looted from the treasuries of other nations are kept in the vaults of the banks in the West.

But out of sheer hypocrisy, the leaders and the media in western countries say that we are corrupt and our rulers swallow (that) hook, line and sinker. For two and half years, President Buhari has been begging the West to repatriate our stolen wealth. In spite of promises (made by the West), not a single dime has been recovered and repatriated.

Chapter 2 of the constitution on socioeconomic rights did not have a capitalist society in mind. Hence, a duty has been imposed on the government to abolish corrupt practices and control the means of production and exchange. If social services are funded by the government and the people are empowered to manage their own affairs there will be little or nothing left to steal. That is why a socialist system is less corrupt as the entire wealth of the nation goes for servicing the people.

But if you go around saying that government cannot fund education, build hospitals, tar roads, construct railways, etc., you are inviting the plutocrats in government to engage in the criminal diversion of public funds.

No doubt, President Buhari is committed to the anti-corruption crusade than his predecessors. Through the introduction of the TSA (Single Treasury Account) the Federal Government has saved huge funds.

Through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, trillions of naira have been recovered. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences and the Code of Conduct Bureau are being re-organised even though rather belatedly.

Owing to the failure of the National Assembly to pass the bill for the establishment of a special court to determine corruption cases, the Chief Justice, the Honourable Justice Walter Onnoghen, has directed all heads of courts to create special courts to hear corruption cases. This will go a long way to ensure that pending corruption cases are speedily determined.

Although these initiatives are coming rather late in the day, they are going to assist the administration to deliver on the promise to expose and indict a number of corrupt elements in the society.

But mind you, no government can successfully fight corruption without involving the people who are the victims of corruption.

To that extent, the celebration of criminality by the media has to stop. Religious, traditional and educational institutions have to stop honouring men and women of questionable pedigree.

The staff and student unions in the campuses have to monitor funds allocated for the development of our institutions. The labour unions have to monitor the federal, state and local governments with a view to blocking leakages and exposing corrupt officials."
http://politicsngr.com/2017/09/24/corruption-not-nigerias-problem-falana-tells-fg/
cc: lalasticlala, mynd44

truth

Well said Falana

The regular anthem of HausaFulani North.....while they ensure that all Fed agencies of Anti-Corruption are headed by them so that they can easily evade prosecution then turn around and blame the South and opposition.

Corruption is the Air that HausaFulani breath everyday.
Their main religion is centred on Corruption termed submission.

How would the West release stolen cash to a Fulani president??

No way......!

I give it to these yoruba man,he spoke the truth these time.
But the way he speaks,i am sure these government is not benefiting him because a proverb says when the money is coming your way you don't ask questions.frank underwood.
I am frankly happy about these because most people from his tribe are pretenders and treacherous.

Infact Buhari is Nigeria's problem.Recall he was the first to topple a democratically elected government of Shehu Shagari.Thereafter go down again in infamy as the first leader to crash Nigeria's GDP to ground zero within one month hence lead us to our first recession.He was also the first leader under whose tenure an embarrassing attempt to kidnap a fugitive Umaru Dikko thereby sparking a diplomatic row between Britain and Nigeria.Due to his low IQ,he became the first military leader to be completely overthrown effortlessly by his own lieutenants led by his army chief(IBB)without any intelligent detection. Fast forwarded,Buhari goes down in history as the first president to rule Nigeria with controversial credentials.Then the big one-first president to lead Nigeria to her second and worst ever recession.Not forgetting his being the most bigoted,tribal,parochial divisive and vindictive president Nigeria ever had.The negative records are just too many.

What have become of the Lawal Babachir,Olusola Oke-Ikoyi Billions,Abba Kyari's 500M MTN bribe and the outcome of the arms scandal probes among others? All you hear is Dasuki/Deziani probe that have not amount to any conviction.Meanwhile how have the anti-corruption war help our national life? Absolutely nothing as the bastardized economy and unprecedented corruption still ongoing in the Buhari's government have made life unbearable for the average Nigerian.

[/b]"Through the introduction of the TSA (Single Treasury Account) the Federal Government has saved huge funds.
Through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, trillions of naira have been recovered."[b] What are the effects of these monies on our economy -absolutely nothing.And why is the government still borrowing?

no it has a never been

technicallyrich:
I give it to these yoruba man,he spoke the truth these time.
But the way he speaks,i am sure these government is not benefiting him because a proverb says when the money is coming your way you don't ask questions.frank underwood.
I am frankly happy about these because most people from his tribe are pretenders and treacherous.

One of my favourite underwood quotes" when the money is coming your way, you don't ask questions"

He has being sidelined