The Federal Government has been advised to combine preventive with punitive measures if efforts to combat corruption and other acts of impunity were to succeed.
President-elect of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Abubakar Mahmud (SAN), who gave this advice, observed that the anti-corruption efforts of the government appear to focus on fighting corruption after it has occurred.
Mahmud, in his maiden press conference in Abuja, advised the government to ease the process of doing business, improve on security and carry through reforms in the Judiciary if the country was to attract investment and develop.
He said the nation’s quest for development would be enhanced when the Federal Government and its agencies uphold the principle of the rule of law and accord the Judiciary the independence needed to play its role as the interpreter of the law.
Mahmud, who extended a hand of fellowship to his fellow contestant, Joe Gadzama (SAN) and others, said his administration would ensure the “core values of integrity and ethical lawyering.”
“While the NBA commends the efforts to fight corruption, we note that the legal and institutional framework, which is in place for anti-corruption crusade, is defective in structure and substance.
“The anti-corruption crusade seems to be much more focused on fighting corruption after it has occurred, but not much attention is paid to preventive measures with a view to minimising corruption.
“To successfully and substantially reduce or eradicate corruption, the legal framework, systems and initiatives for investigation and prosecution, education against corruption and above all, prevention must equally be robust and effective. The system is not sufficiently robust to prevent corruption within the public service system.
“To combat corruption, a combination of strong laws and the presence of effective and efficient anti-corruption agencies is required, but this isn’t all that is required, particularly when corruption has become endemic as is our situation. It is a fact that most, if not all acts of corruption involve ethical breaches. If this is so, then a strong and effective ethical framework is important for success,” Mahmud said.
The NBA president-elect assured the Federal Government of his group’s support for efforts to curb insecurity where security agencies abide by the rules of engagement, “which will ensure respect for the rights of citizens and compliance with the rule of law.”
He called for an enhanced funding of the Judiciary, noting that funding for the sector consistently dwindled in the past few years.
“The NBA reiterates that government must recognise that it is only the existence of a virile, fearless and a well-funded independent Judiciary that can guarantee an enduring democratic government and maintenance of the rule of law,” Mahmud said.