On World anti-corruption day, NIgerians urged to unite against scourge



...As group launches compendium of 100 notable corruption files



By Samuel Bakare





As the world marked the World Anti-Corruption Day on Sunday, Senior lawyers, journalists and civil society groups have urged Nigerians to own the fight against corruption warning that Nigeria may never regain her glory unless financial crimes are tackled headlong.



At least three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, (SAN) Femi Falana, Olumide Fusika and Dr Muiz Banire at the launching of the compendium on 100 corruption cases in Nigeria on Sunday called for a new reinvigorated national spirit among stakeholders to fight the scourge of corruption that has continued to push Nigeria into the dark district of global affairs.





Falana who was the chairman of the occasion at the launching of the compendium organized by the Human and Environment Development Agenda, (HEDA) said Nigeria needed to develop a new methodology in dealing with seized assets which often end up degraded and wasted due to the relatedly long legal framework.



The Executive Director, (HEDA) Mr Olanrewaju Suraj, while speaking at the event said the publication was aimed at marking the World Day Against Corruption. He said the publication reflects some of the most astonishing cases of corruption from 2005 to November this year. Hundreds of activists, media government officials and representatives of civil society and community based organizations attended the well packed event held at the prestigious Radisson Hotel in Lagos.



“We do not need to seize assets and allow them to deteriorate. We seize several buildings and they are left to rot away when there are several people that are homeless. We seize hotels and allow them to rot away knowing that the legal battles may last for so many years,” Falana said.



The presenter of the publication and Publisher of Premium Times, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi praised HEDA for her consistent track records in the anti-corruption crusade. He said several corruption cases have been reported by the media and civil society but that the challenge now is for the people to take up the battle from there.



Olumide Fusika, (SAN) said the Federal Government should put into use seized assets to ensure effective management after which the profit would be taken by the winner of such court cases instead of seizing assets that would be left to rot away given the long duration of legal disputes.







Banire who is also the Chairman of Asset Management Committee of Nigeria, (AMCON) said "Beyond the presentation of this report, the government and the people must move to press to commit itself to the fight against corruption much more seriously," he said.



Suraj said that the book was put together by a team of researchers drawn from the media, academic and human rights communities, noting that the publication brings into sharp focus some of the most outstanding corruption cases in Nigeria.



Suraj further stated that the work will re-invigorate the public spirit in the quest for transparency and good governance in Nigeria.



"The campaign against corruption cannot be achieved by the government alone. The people needed to drive the process and own the initiative. The launching of the compendium represents a milestone in the long and tortuous journey to a free and transparent society.



Speaking further he said that the launching is a reminder to corrupt officials that the bell will continue to toll their names for ever in the dark book of history.



"We realise that to keep the anti-corruption light aglow, Nigerians must be constantly remembered about striking corruption cases that have left eternal scars on the psyche of Nigerian," he said.