ICPC/EFCC: UN Calls For People-Centred Corruption Fight In Nigeria
As the nation commemorates the 20th anniversary of establishment of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences commission, the United Nations(UN) says that the corruption fight should impart positively on the well-being of Nigerians.
Edward Kallon, the UN Nigeria Resident Coordinator, tweeted about this on Wednesday.
Advertisement
Kallon stressed that for the country’s situation not to worsen, the anti-corruption war championed by the respective anti-graft agencies must be redirected towards socio-economic development of the average citizen.
“As @_AfricanUnion and African Governments mark the 20th Anniversary of the Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission, I call for a people-centred approach to fighting corruption in #Nigeria such that lives of citizens are positively impacted,” he tweeted.
Meanwhile, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, on Tuesday, tweeted that the current government is noted for its aggressive approach towards warding off corruption.
Advertisement
However, he said that some elements were trying to jeopardize the anti-corruption gains, to the reproach of the country.
Recall that some of the top personnel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including the suspended acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, is being drilled by a Presidential panel, over allegations of misconduct.
Furthermore, Osibanjo assured that Nigeria would win the battle against all corrupt practices, to the betterment of the country.
His tweet reads :
“20 years have passed since Nigeria passed the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and set up the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission as the first anti-corruption agency, in Nigeria and possibly in the region.
Advertisement
“Our government has supported the fulfillment of this statutory mandate first by demonstrating the political will and support for anti-corruption measures from the Number one citizen of Nigeria, the President himself.
“We have seen that demonstrable political will and that political will has afforded all our anti-corruption agencies the latitude to do their work without interference.
“There are matters of concern, one of which is the matter of secret corporate ownership and beneficial ownership.
“Secrecy around corporate ownership is implicated in our underdevelopment.
“Our experience here in Nigeria is that anonymous corporate ownership covers a multitude of sins including conflict of interest, corruption, tax evasion and even terrorism financing.
“Nigeria is in the process of amending its law to mandate disclosure of beneficial interests.
Advertisement
