In our great nation flowing with milk and honey, while some enjoy this, a few controls it, with majority of the populace left only to imagine it. Nigerians have become the Biblical ‘Moses’ of our time, having to only see this promise land, but not having the chance to partake from same. “Billion Dollars” is no longer a strange word/phrase to the common man on the street, obviously not in his bank account but due to the endless revelations birth by corruption daily, cutting across ethnicity and religion, it is accepted today that this epidemic has eaten deeper into our system than we think.
Prof. Iste Sagay (SAN), the reputable academic scholar and legal practitioner was apt in his lecture on “The Many Afflictions of Anti-Corruption Crusade in Nigeria” delivered at the Pre-Conference Public lecture of the 2017 Annual Conference of The Nigerian Society of International Law (NSIL), on the 5th of September, 2017 at the University of Lagos, Akoko.
Prof. Iste Sagay (SAN), the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption was detailed in his lecture stating with the definition of corruption. He adopted the definition as stated in the New Webster Dictionary of the English Language, which defines corruption as “depraved, changed from sound to a putrid state, open to bribery, to pervert, dishonest, make wicked, to defile, to falsify” etc. etc. He maintained that the ramifications of corruption are extensive, political corruption, financial an economic corruption, examination corruption and academic corruption. His stance, the consequences of corruption is a major factor to underdevelopment. He gave a position on morality and corruption, concluding that our society has become fractured and we are gradually degenerating into a failed state because we have abandoned these principles, which guided our collective and individual operations as a country, during the colonial era and for about a decade after independence. To his mind, the saddest part of it all is that the younger the politician, the greedier, more corrupt, and rapidly anti-social he is. The appetite for stealing, looting and plunder, is simple unlimited and senseless.
A very eventful aspect of his lecture was the surprise which overtook the public when he made available the breakdown of the earnings of our Nigerian Senators per month, amounting to about N29 Million and over N3 Billion a year. The Senators earn a basic salary of about N2.4 Million a month and earn a long list of non-taxable allowances monthly.
He emphatically stated the Challenges of the War against Corruption under three heading, the Legislature (obviously for facts above), the Role of the Judiciary, and Senior Lawyers. He addressed the means by which corruption have been fighting back, however dwelt a bit on the prof of Light at the Tunnel, pointing out the role of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the Non Conviction based Assets Recovery and the Recovery of Property, Special Provisions Act, Cap. R.4, 2004 Laws of Nigeria.
He concluded, there is a need to understand that the anti-corruption struggle is like a long distance race – a marathon. It cannot be concluded overnight. The opposition is extremely powerful, using states’ resources to fight back. We ought not to expect dramatic results every day. What we are going to see is a progressive dismantling of the corruption infrastructure. Convictions will occur now again, but there will be frequent forfeitures of looted funds and other types of property. Remove stolen loot from the culprit and his life becomes miserable. Indeed, the achievements of the present Administration in the fight against corruption are greatly underestimated and unappreciated. Nigeria was bleeding from numerous open wounds when this Administration took over about 2 years ago. All the bleeding has been staunched. Recoveries are underway. What is now needed is the positive support of the citizens of this Country in this titanic struggle. At the end of the day, Nigeria will overcome the scourge of corruption and we can begin our upward climb up the ladder of development and welfare of Nigerians.
Burning questions of the audience were answered by the Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the event came to a close.
What role have you played to support the fight against corruption or are you one of the enemies we should watch out for? The big question….
JOT INFORMS 