This is exactly what some of us have been saying. To effectively fight the war on corruption, no one should be arbitrarily exempted from accountability. Doing that not only breeds and encourages more corruption; it also breeds and encourages impunity. In the end the country is left with more corruption than was the case when the so called war on corruption started. Form follows function. If we want to kill corruption before it kills Nigeria as per president Buhari's statements) then we must articulate the best strategy to achieve this goal. And we must communicate that clearly and without double-speak. And we must implement that strategy without fear or favour. No excuses. And no exceptions. The point is not to catch and prosecute every criminal. That is impossible. The point is to be clear and consistent that criminal has equal chance of being prosecuted. In other words, no one will be arbitrarily protected because of who or what s/he is or whose friend, relative or enemy s/he is and no one will be prosecuted arbitrarily for the above reasons. For doing so is it self corruption and will not only corrupt the war against corruption; but it will also make it unpopular and ineffective. Notably, some of the issues we havebdiscussed here in the past one week such as kidnapping, cattle rustling, killing of villagers by ak47 wielding criminals purporting to be cattle herdsmen, reported efforts by some highlyplaced folks to sabotage the war against Boko haram not to talk about the looting of public treasury at the state and federal government levels all are due to the fact that the perpetrators believe the are protected as no body will ever make them account for their criminal acts. If people honestly believe that this is no longer the case, most of these nefarious activities will stop without much effort. Right now not much has changed. Hence it is business as usual. I hope and pray that things will be different under this new administration. But based on indications so far I would bet that such a change is somewhat unlikely as we seem to be pursuing the same strategy of inconsistency in administration of justice. Doing the same thing and expecting a different result?
--Now the rot of the national immorality is blown open and the lawmakers who are saddled with the responsibility of making laws are the ones breaking them. Where is justice if they are allowed to go with impunity? They must all be made to face justice. They should be held accountable.President Bihari administration must hold the leaders accountable as a deterrent to the masses. Once that is done, democracy will be sustained in Nigeria.
Prof. Segun Ogungbemi
On Sep 27, 2015, at 6:46 PM, olakassimmd via USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> wrote:
--
Dear All:
The fact that this Senator Okuronmu once served as the Chairman
of a confab on the Nigerian constitution speaks volumes
about the low moral quality and intellectual depth of those who represent Nigeria
at the highest levels of governance.
The criminal code and the legal system which enforces it was not designed
to have such a broad reach to go after. prosecute and convict all criminals
who have broken the law. This is not necessary for the legal system
to be effective or make a statement about its essence.
The main duty of the justice system is to catch and punish some offending citizens, (while avoid punishing
the innocent) and to serve as a deterrence for the general public.
For instance most drivers with valid driver's license all over the
world would at one time or the other have gone over the speed limit
either deliberately when they are in a hurry or would have mistakenly
exceeded the speed limit without being aware they were driving so fast.
The law through speed traps set up by the police only aims to catch a few,
lead-footed drivers, give them warnings or speeding tickets with the option
to pay specified fines or go to the traffic court to be prosecuted.
This is the reason that those who are making excuses for Saraki as not
being the only politician guilty of false declaration of assets and other
alleged embezzlement of billions of Naira in public funds are grossly mistaken.
Saraki must face the justice system (in this particular case--the ICPC)
which would determine his guilt or innocence of the charges laid against him.
If found guilty Saraki would have no other choice but to step down from the Chairmanship of the Senate
and vacate his senate seat.
As soon as he resigns or he is impeached from the Senate Chairmanship and the Senate Saraki would be faced
with the criminal charges of embezzlement that the EFCC has against him!
Let the chips fall where ever they may!
It might even be good for the development of democratic governance in Nigeria, if the PDP manages to take
over the Senate in the wake of Saraki's departure!
Bye,
Ola
---- Original Message ------
From: Bode Akeredolu <akeredolubode@gmail.com>
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Sent: Sun, Sep 27, 2015 9:25 am
Subject: More than 90% of Nigerian politicians guilty of false declaration of assets -Okunrounmu
More than 90% of Nigerian politicians guilty of false declaration of assets -Okunrounmu - See more at: http://www.bodedolu.com/#sthash.e0t13mpt.dpufThe Saraki objection and Code of Conduct Tribunal, By Asiwaju Awomolo, SAN - See more at: http://www.bodedolu.com/#sthash.e0t13mpt.dpufThe Saraki objection and Code of Conduct Tribunal, a rejoinder; By Carole Ajie - See more at: http://www.bodedolu.com/#sthash.e0t13mpt.dpufFayose, Ben Bruce visit the Awolowos. Fayose also at the Awo's tomb and with Papa's Mercedes Benz car (Photos) - See more at: http://www.bodedolu.com/#sthash.e0t13mpt.dpufPhoto of Justice A.A. Jega, Prof. Attahiru Jega's brother who died in the Hajj stampede - See more at: http://www.bodedolu.com/#sthash.e0t13mpt.dpufGrand opening of the Nigeria's Largest Mobile Phone Store, 'Finet Experience Centre' - See more at: http://www.bodedolu.com/#sthash.e0t13mpt.dpuf
OkonkwoNetworks..........Building NIGERIA of our DREAM
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