Stakeholders chart path to effective anti-corruption crusade at PUNUKA lecture

The crusade against corruption in Nigeria was the topical issue at the 2015 yearly PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors’ lecture held in Lagos last weekend with stakeholders calling for more virile approach against graft.

In the lecture with theme: “Anti Corruption and Bribery Laws: Extra Territorial Application and Lessons For Business and Government Agencies”, stakeholders stressed the  need  for adoption of  a multi-facet approach, if corruption  is to be brought to its knees in Nigeria.

For  Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, a former chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and retired Supreme Court justice , the war needs a more holistic and deeply thought -out strategic approach.

Justice Ayoola , who chaired  the lecture, condemned the hitherto misconception that the only method of fighting the malaise is through the criminal justice option, saying  other options must be employed  to bring corruption to its knees .

According to him,  Nigeria must be ready to revise and reform the totality of the legal framework in relation to the fight against corruption to facilitate result oriented fight against corruption and engender inclusive and popular fight.
 He said:  “Though  Nigeria’s perception of the fightagainst corruption is strong in sentiment and emotion, it is abysmally weak in action. The  fight against corruption  will take longer to rout in our nation if we at all levels of society pay lip-service to the fight against corruption”.

On the performace  of the ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in  the fight against  corruption in Nigeria, Justice Ayoola said evaluation of the performance of these two agencies will certainly not fit comfortably without  constant assessment of their challenges.

He frowned at calls for the merging of the two  anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, saying  the fight against corruption in a developing country such as ours must be a running battle, which made the commitment of resources to the fight and steadfastness in the course of the campaign not only imperative but  also urgent

For the  Senior partner of PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors, Chief Anthony Idigbe SAN ,  the topic of the 2015 lecture was carefully selected in the light of resurgence of momentum towards elimination of corruption and bribery in conducting business and public activities.

He noted that the fight against bribery and corruption by structured and purpose built legislation is now a global affair and must enjoy active participation from every jurisdiction.
 
Other notable  speakers at the event include; Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, Prof Mariana Mota Prado, the immediate chairman , Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ), Dr Suleyman Abdu Ndanusa, Principal Partner, Kemi Pinheiro and Company and EFCC prosecutor, Kemi Pinheiro SAN,  Director General,  Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Benjamin Dikki amongst others.