Legislature, judiciary encouraging corruption in Nigeria – Don
A University Don, Prof. Dawood Omolumen Egbefo of the Department of History and International Studies at the Edo State University Uzairue has blamed the legislature and the judiciary for not living up to the people’s expectations by discharging their real responsibilities thereby encouraging corruption in
Nigeria,
Prof Egbefo who is also the Deputy Vice- Chancellor Academic, made the assertion while delivering the 13th inaugural lecture series of the Edo State University Uzairue, Titled: Democratic Governance And The Challenges Of Poverty, Corruption And National Security Crisis In Nigeria Since 1999, at the Aliko Dangote Auditorium.
Prof Egbefo said the judiciary as the 3rd tier has been made to do what the government wants or is not being allowed to perform their actual duties as what they do is just paperwork and the real effective issues of the judiciary are
in the hands of the executive.
According to him, “for the past 4-8 years
now, we have seen how the judiciary have been made to do what the government want or not being allowed to perform their actual duties, what they do is just paper work and the real effective issues of the judiciary is in the hands of the executive” he added.
On the other hand, he said the legislature
has not been able to achieve the administrative instrument, the Instrument that will put good governance on ground has not been established saying that the legislature is supposed to make laws for good governance or always see to what the executive is about to or are doing can be implemented for good governance.
He said until we actually redefine what true governance is, that is where we can separate both good and bad governance adding that if we remain like this, democracy will keep on promoting poverty thereby leading to corruption and the problem we are facing will take time to be solved.
He further accused the government of not being able to drive home or put on ground a structure or system that would be able to check corruption as people are interested in corruption as a result of the kind of wealth they want at the detriment of others.
He said that the issue of corruption did not start today as we have seen government officials taking bribes to carry out their official duties or
government engaging or involved in bribing companies or contractors at the same time claiming to be fighting corruption by setting up EFCC, ICPC, and
others. He however praised the past
administrations for making significant
progress in the fight against corruption
by arresting and prosecuting those who
engaged in corrupt practices in the
private and public sectors such top government officials including former governors, ministers, and local government chairmen have been dragged before courts to answer to corruption charges.
He said that eradication of corruption is
not just a difficult task if the right
machineries are put in place like in other
developed countries like America where there are tested institutions which make It impossible for the corrupt to be ultimate winner, adding that we should get to a point where corruption is seen as a serious crime and not just as an attempt by an individual to take his share
of the national cake and good example
should be made against any offender
rather than free bargain.
Prof Egbefo suggested that we must all
come to the full realisation that
corruption is as dangerous to society as
it is to the individual as corruption is a
major cause of the country’s
underdevelopment especially in the area
of poor infrastructure.
He said law may be an ald to good
government but by no means the most
Important factor in establishing peace.
and harmony is for us to elect good
leaders because law can only be
effective if the right man is placed in
power
In his conclusion, he said the
enthronement of democracy and good.
governance in Nigeria is necessary for
the socio-economic and political
transformation of the country in the 21st
century.
“Nigeria demand good governance,
justice, free corruption, free of national
security crisis, equity, fairness and real
development and progress of the
country in order to encourage confidence
and trust in the polity”.
He said fight against corruption must be
carried out with total commitment from
the political Leadership backed by strong
political will devoid of lip service and
rhetorics and there should be a serious
drive towards poverty reduction and
inequality through people-oriented
policies and programs which will
address the basic necessary of life such
as food, shelter, health care services,
safe drinking water, electricity, education,
employment among others.
Earlier in his address, the Vice
Chancellor of the university Engr Prof
Emmanuel Aluyor said since its
Inception, the university has been
committed to providing academic
excellence to achieve its mandates.
The Vice-Chancellor who was
represented by the Deputy Vice-
Chancellor administration, Prof. Anthony
O. Nwaopara said the university has
been dogged in exploring technology-
based materials for teaching, learning,
and assessment.
“Our institution has remained in the
vanguard of academic excellence with
highly qualified staff that is highly
dedicated and primed to expose our
students to diverse fields of human
endeavor”, he added.
Prof Aluyor further stated that the
university curricula for the different
programmes in the 9 faculties are
designed in such a way as to fulfill the
mission and vision of the university.
(TRIBUNE)
