‘Corrupt people must be stigmatised’
Human rights’ activist Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has urged Nigerians not to celebrate corrupt people.
Falana spoke yesterday in Lagos at the Annual General Convention of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL).
He admonished Nigerians to stigmatise corrupt people to act as a deterrent to others.
The activist said if the security and welfare of the people were not taken seriously, government would be unable to fight corruption.
CACOL’s Executive Chairman Comrade Debo Adeniran said corruption remained unsolved by the present administration, like its predecessors, making Nigeria a laughing stock among the comity of nations.
Said he: “The rate of corruption is alarming. Allegations are flying everywhere about government’s ineptitude in tackling corruption. The majority of Nigerians are living below one dollar per day. This is in contrast to what lawmakers take home monthly.
“While a senator earns $1.7million, members of the House of Representatives collect over $1.45 million each. Our organisation has in the past one year taken steps to make independent investigation and analysis of facts available at people’s disposal.”
Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was represented by Rev. Ishola Adebiyi, hailed the initiative of the coalition in fighting corruption.
“We must discourage money politics if we want our leaders to be accountable to us.”
The Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde, who was represented by Mr. Abubakar Aliyu Madaki, advised public office holders to be accountable and transparent.
