Abuja — Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Farida Wazirir, has regretted that Nigeria has performed very badly, 50 years after Independence, because of the crippling effect of corruption and other related vices.
She gave this view in Abuja on Wednesday at the first Anti-corruption Revolution (ANCOR) National Convention.
The EFCC chairman noted that countries like Malaysia and Singapore that were worse off than Nigeria in the 1950s and 1960s have become economies to reckon with in the global arena.
"Alas 50 years down independence lane like most African countries, Nigeria has nothing to show for self rule except stories of woe, corruption, waste, primitive accumulation of wealth and looting by a privileged few, as well as diverse and modernising forms of economic and financial crimes, " she said.
Waziri noted that corruption has caused a wide gap between the rich and the poor, giving rise to crimes like cyber crimes and kidnapping.
The EFCC boss argued that ANCOR has provided the grounds for every Nigeria to get involved in the war against corruption, saying only when all citizens get involved can the scourge be tackled.
"ANCOR provides a platform for very purposeful engagement of the citizenry and a necessary nexus between the state and the non-state actors in the fight against graft," she said.
ANCOR Steering Committee Chairman, Mashood Erubami, in his remarks, called on the Federal Government to cancel plans to celebrate Nigeria at 50 as there was no indication of capital and human development to boast of.
Erubami advised the Federal Government to consider the removal of immunity clause in the 1999 Constitution protecting presidents and governors from prosecution and the creation of special courts to try corruption cases.
He also called for the conclusion of pending high profile cases which have shown Nigeria to the world in bad light, listing the Halliburton and Siemens cases as examples.
Comments 1 to 5 of 5 Post a comment
Waziri is a hypocrite crying wolf. While Babangida and other Jihadist thieves are going about displaying their looted wealth with impunity, she cannot expect Nigerians to believe her claim to be fighting corruption. We are not distracted by her sporadic outbursts aimed at catching news headlines.
excisionnist(a)gmx.com
The Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), hits the note correctly on the effect of corruption on Nigeria. It is a shame to see the unpatriotic, greed, selfishness dominating the mindset of those in authority. When you see people spending million of naira on campaign to seek public office, one wonder what will be their salary. When you see some ex-military officers, State governors, Local government Chairman, Politicians, Police Commissioners, Custom officials and a host of others became multi-millionaire overnight, at the expense of the people, one ponder and weep for those with no food and shelter.
In my opinion, it will be better for the country to adopt the Chinese approach to corruption-"DEATH PENALTY". I know some people will look at this as barbaric and primitive, may answer to them is million of Nigerian will have access to clean water,Electricity, good schools and medical care, good roads, security and safety. Those official charged with the responsibility will focus more on executing their job than sharing percentages. We should devote the next 50 years to fight corruption, and compare the magnificiet benefit. We have seen the effect of 50 years of corruption, let us see 50 years of honesty.
"Erubami also called for the conclusion of pending high profile cases which have shown Nigeria to the world in bad light, listing the Halliburton and Siemens cases as examples"
Yes indeed while there are such high profile cases pending, Mrs Waziri's high profile statements such as we have in this article cannot be taken seriously. Instead of looking for "debtors" and "money launderers" and victimising innocent citizens she should go after the indictees in these cases. They are clear cases that the whole world knows about. Or is she protecting them so that their looted wealth can be used to fulfil the Northern Islamic economic agenda.
excisionist
Mrs. Farida Waziri,you said it as it is. However, have you at all considered interrogating such looters as Ibrahim Babangida,Abacha's family and other prominent Northern political looters who took advantage of the Nigerian People to make themselves weathy in a very unfairly way at a time when real and regular Nigerians can barely have 3 square meals a day not to talk about sending their children to school.Your commission must remove the socalled 1999 immunity clause that protects these thieves and political looters, to give way for proper prosecution of these mindless and blood suckers no matter where they may be and their health condition and let them get the Nigerian justice before their demise.The commission, if it is truely doing what it is surposed to be doing and is honest about its work,why is James Ibori and the rest of the political thieves and looters like him are free and walking around the streets of Nigeria with inpunity? Mrs. Chairlady,why is Mr.Atiku yet to be interrogated and prosecuted regarding the power fund allocated for power supply Nationwide under his supervision is missing while he Atiku is enjoying millions of dollar mansion in the surburb of Florida U.S.A? In a democratic nations,no one is above the law whether you're present or former Presidentorvice-President, you owe it to the People to give account of your political leadership mostly where there are indications of mismanagement of people's funds and thats why the Nigerian People are raising their eyes and asking why the Commission is so afraid not to invite the former Presidents and V-Ps for serious and honest quizzes.Surely,the Nigerian People will be behind the commission and the general Assembly will have the political will to remove the 1999 immunity clause to protect political wrong doers from prosecution while in office and after which is not fair for the Nigerian People as it is.Not changing this rule,means continum of stealing,looting while in office by these hooligans who have nothing to offer their motherland but to rape her by using their political power to do so.For Nigeria to be whole,the commission must show fairness, political and moral will to give the Nigerian People the justice they desperately need or the commission could be irrelevant on the eye of the Nation.Nigerians are crying for justice this commission can not afford to fail them.
Nigeria continues to pretends to be a Democracy. You cannot have the Rule Of law without the Constitutional Rules Of Engagement. This is not Make As You Go Rules as it is now in Nigeria.As mentioned in the article there must be a true and sincere Constitutional Reform to ensure corruption is eliminated or at the very least drastically reduced in Nigeria,including the thorny issue of Immunity for Presidents and Governors. When you have immunity why do you have to follow the laws while in office.