The Federal Government is to revisit high-profile anti-corruption cases,<\/p>\n
the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) said
\nyesterday.
\nThere will be a scale-up of advocacy against corruption in private sectors
\nand professional associations as part of efforts to fight corruption next
\nyear.<\/p>\n
PACAC\u2019s Executive Secretary Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye spoke yesterday at a
\nnews conference in Lagos to unfold the panel\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n
He reviewed activities of the committee in the last one year.
\nAccording to Owasanoye, PACAC will scale up anti-corruption advocacy
\nthrough engagement of civil society organisations, citizens and state and
\nlocal governments.<\/p>\n
On plea bargain, he said: \u201cNo government has the capacity to prosecute all
\nmanner of offences; that is the reason there is a legal framework for plea
\nbargain.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe plea bargain is not a trade off, but has been set up with other
\nguidelines to refrain suspects from perceiving it as an outlet for easy
\nescape.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Administration of Criminal Justice Act is meant to resolve challenges
\nin the criminal justice system; if it is failing, then it is as a result
\nof implementation.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
He stressed the need to further build capacities of ministries,
\ndepartments and agencies as well as the judiciary, on money laundering and
\nasset recovery.
\nOwasanoye said PACAC would track high-profile cases and ensure improved
\napplication of sanctions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe intend to revisit some high-rofile corruption cases, such as
\nHalliburton, and see them to a logical conclusion,\u2019\u2019 he said.
\nHe listed public apathy and elite complicity as some challenges PACAC had
\nin the last one year.<\/p>\n
According to him, poor economy, ineffective application of preventive
\nmeasures and negative use of constitution can aid corruption.
\nThe executive secretary called for improved collaboration of all arms of
\ngovernment in fighting corruption.<\/p>\n
PACAC member Prof. Etannibi Alemika stressed the need to evaluate and
\nenhance capacities of agencies fighting corruption.<\/p>\n
He said Nigerians must give informed reports on corruption.<\/p>\n
According to Alemika, journalists and civil society organisations can
\ncreate more public awareness on consequences of corruption.<\/p>\n
\u201cNigerians must learn to get the narrative back to behaviour,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Federal Government is to revisit high-profile anti-corruption cases, the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) said yesterday. There will be a scale-up of advocacy against corruption in private sectors…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":52570,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54775","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n