A financial expert and CEO of Forensic Insight International Ltd, Mr. Tunji Aworinde Wednesday lamented the negative effects of corruption in our national economy.
Speaking during a 3-day conference on financial crime, cross-border crime and illicit substance abuse in Abuja, Aworinde said the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is making meaningful contributions in the fight against corruption, but that a lot needs to be done.
He said: “We are all suffering the consequences of corruption in Nigeria because hospitals don’t have equipment to treat ailments, while the best of our doctors are migrating abroad and contributing to brain drain, because they don’t see any hope in the country. I have been involved in projects with state governments and I have firsthand experience of what corruption is doing to our nation.
“I feel so much pain because of the situation, so there is a need for a change. We can’t eradicate corruption because it is part of humanity, but we can minimise it, especially opportunistic corruption. The immunity clause in our constitution is particularly encouraging corruption in Nigeria, because you can’t prosecute the president or governors while in office.
“Therefore, there should be a political will in implementing policies on corruption, especially the National Anti-corruption document. Also, the rule of law should apply in all cases. The issue of security vote, constituency projects, Trader moni disbursement and others may have good concepts, but the processes encourage corruption, because the funds are not audited.” Dignitaries in attendance at the event included the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.), Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mohammed Umar Abba, Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, Director General National Institute of Police Studies, Professor Olu Ogunsakin, Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Mamman Nami, among others.
