The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), a leading anti-corruption group, has expressed deep concern over the alarming rate at which Nigeria’s wealth is being embezzled by public office holders and politically exposed individuals. Backed by compelling statistics, HEDA called upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to escalate the fight against corruption in the country.
This plea was made during the Public Presentation of the Seventh Edition of the Compendium on 100 High Profile Corruption Cases in Nigeria, organized by HEDA to mark the international anti-corruption day. The group emphasized that the prevailing Nigerian system fosters corruption, identifying graft as the primary impediment to national growth.
Highlighting the urgency of addressing corruption cases with the same diligence as election petitions, HEDA asserted that failure to do so would result in a continued decline in various aspects of the nation.
The event, supported by the MacArthur Foundation, saw the participation of key stakeholders in the anti-graft battle, including senior legal practitioners such as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN; Mr. Wahab Shittu, SAN; and retired Justice Mojisola Olatoregun; Mr Ibrahim Magu; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Lagos Zonal Commander, Mr. Michael Wetkas.
Chairman of HEDA, Olanrewaju Suraju, stressed the need for a clear and resolute commitment from President Tinubu against corruption beyond mere appointments. In his keynote address, Mr. Shittu urged for a replication of the expeditious handling of election petitions in anti-corruption cases, proposing a legal framework to ensure that no corruption case exceeds six months.
Mr. Pedro emphasized the importance of giving corruption cases equal attention as election petitions, calling for a review of laws to align with global practices. He urged citizens to actively contribute to the fight against corruption and emphasized the role of the rule of law in pursuing justice.
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, speaking on the compendium, highlighted the corrosive impact of corruption on society, emphasizing the need for collective efforts in the ongoing battle for justice and accountability. The compendium, representing a repository of factual information on 100 high-profile corruption cases, serves as a testament to the commitment to combat corruption and its detrimental effects on the nation’s development.
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyed, represented by Mr. Michael Wetkas, reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to collaboration, professionalism, and strict adherence to the rule of law in preventing and combating corruption.