Nigeria: “Remove immunity clause”

  1. Posted on Friday 12 December 2008 - 10:30
    Murtala
    Image of Murtala
    Murtala Mohamed Kamara, AfricaNews reporter in Freetown, Sierra Leone
    Nigeria's president Yar'Adua has appealed for the repealing of laws that protect politicians from prosecution whiles in office. His appeal came while marking this year's international anti-corruption day. He also launched a new campaign to encourage Nigerians to report corrupt practices.
    President Umaru Yar'adua
    The International Anti-Corruption Day celebration is marked every year by the United Nations to raise awareness on the ills of corruption and what people can do to fight it.

    Yar’Adua said: “This provision for immunity against prosecution for serving officers should be expunged from the constitution,” adding that “nobody in Nigeria deserves the right to be protected by law when looting public funds,” according to the BBC. Making reference to the recent case in the US where the Governor of Illinois was arrested and charged whiles trying to sell former Senator turned US President –elect Barack Obama’s seat.

    Media reports say removing immunity would require a change to the constitution which would take a long time.

    The West African most populace nation was described by Transparency International in its annual index as the world most corrupt nations but Nigerian officials said the report fails to recognize government effort in fighting corruption.

    The country in its bid to fight corruption set up the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This independent body is empowered to investigate, prosecute economic and financial crimes but many believed that there is a lot to be done in this area.

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