In a bid to address misappropriation of funds and curb corrupt practices across the public and private sector, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission has called on the International Anti-Corruption court to hold perpetrators accountable in order to recover the country’s national assets.
EFCC boss AbdulRashed Bawa disclosed this at A One Day Hybrid conference on International Anti-Corruption Court, themed Instituting International Anti-Corruption Court; Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities for Engagement in Abuja.
He said corruption has gone transnational hence the need to strengthen the country’s national justice system for best practices.
It is a one-day dialogue organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agency.
They are concerned about how looted funds can be recovered as well as identifying the loopholes of corrupt practices either in person or in an agency.
Speaking at the event, the EFCC Boss AbdulRashed Bawa represented by Chinwe Ndubueze noted that the only way to curb grand corruption is by boosting the operations of the International Anti-Corruption Court, thus appealing to leaders to enable political will in order to guarantee the enhancement of extant criminal legislation so as to discourage its continuous practice.
“Clearly, corruption has become more transnational, leading to a call, for an international Anti-corruption Court to hold perpetrators accountable and spur the government to improve national justice systems.
Although concerns about the political feasibility and the effectiveness of the court have been raised in certain quarters, we’re of the firm belief that an international anti-corruption court will work to reduce grand corruption by nations leaders who may be reluctant or even lacks the political will to permit the enforcement of extant criminal legislation against their province and themselves.
Therefore, we believe that an international anti-corruption court will lend benefit to the fight against corruption, economic and financial crime not only in Nigeria but on a global level.”
Earlier, HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, in his speech laments that the corruption network has continued to escalate, hence clamoring for collaboration to counter threats.
“We call for everyone’s input across the board to see this project to fruition.
We shall take it further to the next level, but individuals should do their bids in their respective jurisdiction to support this move with enthusiasm and as a matter of top priority.”
Also speaking, the representative of th
“Emphasis and try to address the issues of importance of having an impartial independent judiciary of integrity.
In order to ensure that corrupt cases especially sensitive high-level corrupt cases are adjudicated appropriately.
For that purpose, it has emphasis all countries should ensure that their judiciary enjoys the necessary independence of impartial and integrity to be able to deliver objectively.”
Meanwhile, the guest lecturer and the executive director of Global Governance Forum, Augusto Lopez-Claros noted corruption is the bedrock of impunity, hence calling for improved open governance and press freedom to tackle challenges.
“Corruption diminishes the legitimacy of the state, corruption is a betraying of trust, it reduces the moral stature of democracy, it certainly undermines democracy.
Corruption leads to the creation of mafia or an organized criminal groups who uses their financial powers to infiltrate illegal business to intimate or create a climate of fear and uncertainty.”
Many are of the opinion that building a stronger legislature will enhance the appropriate dispensation of justice, particularly in corrupt cases in the country.
