….Promises to make public the names and amount of money refunded soon
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In his address at the 15th Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation annual lecture with the theme, “To live in the way that honours; incorruptibility, a spiritual premise for material well being”, President Muhammadu Buhari reveals that the Central Bank of Nigeria will soon make public the names and amount of money refunded to the cover of the government by former government officials.
He disclosed that quite a number of officials had voluntarily returned the loots while the federal government had sought the cooperation of countries where those illicit funds were banked.
Speaking further, he stated that the release of the names and amount returned was delayed so as not to jeopardise the returns of bigger loots.
He said, “As I stated recently, a good number of people who abused their positions are voluntarily returning the illicit funds.
“I have heard it said that we should disclose the names of the people, and the amount returned. Yes, in due course, the Central Bank of Nigeria will make information available to the public on the surrendered funds, but I must remark that it is yet early days, and any disclosure now may jeopardise the possibility of bigger recoveries.
“But we owe Nigerians adequate information, and it shall come in due course. It is part of the collective efforts to change our land from the bastion of corruption it currently is, to a place of probity and transparency.”
According to Buhari, indiscipline has been taken to an unprecedented level in the country. He decried the spate of corruption in the country, saying that corruption has been elevated to a way of life, and that his administration found it necessary to tackle corruption head-on.
Buhari said, “In this regard, we have taken steps towards recovering a reasonable amount of the money that was looted or misappropriated from public coffers. Investigations are ongoing on public officers who served, or are still serving, and those whose conduct are questionable will be compelled to accept the path of honour and surrender their loot”.
He further explained that the anti-corruption war was not about him as a person, but about building a country where the children and the forthcoming generations could live in peace and prosperity.
He stressed that all corrupt acts would be punished, adding that there would be no friend or foe.
He said, “Quite frankly, the anti-corruption war is not strictly about me as a person, it is about building a country where our children, and the forthcoming generations, can live in peace and prosperity. When you see dilapidated infrastructure around the country, it is often the consequence of corruption.
“Poor health care, collapsed education, lack of public utilities, and decayed social services, are all products of corruption, as those entrusted with public resources put them in their private pockets. That must stop, if we want a new Nigeria. And that was why I said at another forum that people need not fear me, but they must fear the consequences of their actions.
“Corrupt acts will always be punished, and there will be no friend, no foe. We will strive to do what is fair and just at all times, but people who refuse to embrace probity should have every cause to fear.”
He expressed dismay over the poor rating of the country on the corruption perception index by Transparency International, noting that Nigeria could be known for better things other than corruption.
“Again, how do you feel year after year, when Transparency International releases its Corruption Perception Index, and Nigeria is cast in the role of a superstar on corruption?
“In 2011, out of 183 countries, Nigeria was 143 on the corruption ladder. In 2012, we were 139th out of 176. In 2013, we ranked 144 out of 177, and in 2014, we stood at 136th out of 174. Hardly a record to inspire anyone. In fact, it is sad, depressing and distressing. Our country can be known for better things other than corruption,”
