Nigeria: Rep Oladele Urge States To Establish Anti-graft Agencies To Fight Corruption
Participants of the Post-Graduate Certificate Course in Corruption Prevention from the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) during an interactive session with the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, Hon Kayode Oladele during a courtesy visit to his office at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja yesterday
Adetokunbo Fakeye
The Chairman, Nigeria House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, Barrister Kayode Oladele has called on state governments to establish anti-corruption agencies in order to make the fight against corruption all encompassing.
Rep. Oladele (Ogun-APC), representing Yewa-North/Imeko-Afon constitueny while addressing participants of the first certificate course in corruption prevention of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) when they visit NASS.
He said, “Corruption is a global phenomenon, and the laws we have in Nigeria on corruption are international laws. We now see that even some state governments have taken the issue of anti-corruption seriously and it is important that state governments educate their people on this. I want to commend the Kano state government for establishing a public complaints and anti-corruption commission to fight corruption in the state. We urge other states to establish such agencies.
“If you look at what we are currently doing, it is about prevention which is better and cheaper than to investigate and prosecute. It is important that state governments educate citizens on the ills of corruption”.
The international human rights lawyer, emphasized that there could be no development in any society ridden by corruption.
“We want to make sure that this country develops, and in doing that, we have to let the people know that corruption is one of the problems. It is often said that when you fight corruption, it fights back. What it simply means is that agents of corruption are more potent than the agents of anti-corruption”.
Oladele, who was the immediate past Chief of Staff, EFCC, while stressing the importance of demonstrating the political will to fight corruption, submitted that it brings about equality in the distribution of wealth and anti-corruption agencies operate without fear or favour.
Rep. Razak Atunwa, a member of the committee, at the occasion canvassed for the removal of immunity on corrupt issues for elected officials who enjoy it.
Earlier, the Deputy Provost of ACAN, Mr Kayode Adedayo, said the visit was part of the programmes lined up for the participants to be educated on corruption prevention.
