The Africa Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), yesterday advocated life imprisonment for corrupt government officials to nip in the bud the problem of corruption that has become endemic to the Nigerian state.
Speaking at a press briefing in Benin City, Edo State to mark the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day, executive director of ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, represented by the deputy executive director, Comrade Leo Atakpu, reiterated the group’s opposition to death penalty but said the organisation is urging the National Assembly on legislation prescribing long prison terms for corrupt practices.
He said that with over 133 million or 63 per cent of Nigerians living in multi-dimensional poverty, there is need for concerted efforts against the high cases of corruption in the country.
The anti-corruption crusader lamented growing concerns over how governments at the federal, state and local government levels are managing the nation’s wealth.
Atakpu challenged Niger Delta governors to give an accurate account of the N625.4 billion refund of 13 percent oil derivation and subsidy from the federal account in 2021 and 2022.
Flanked by a member of the board of ANEEJ, Comrade Nowinta Igbotako and Sandra Eguagie, Atakpu maintained that corruption attacks the foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmires, adding that it also stunts economic development while foreign direct investment is discouraged and small businesses find it very difficult to survive.
He advised the federal government to avoid the pitfalls of the previous strategy by inaugurating the Inter-Ministerial Committee as it has the responsibility to facilitate the anti-corruption funding framework and the development of sector specific strategies for the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS).
Ahead of the 2023 polls, Igbotako advised Nigerians to take their country back by voting for the right candidates as it is the best way of tackling corruption.
