A Nigerian lawyer says fighting corruption and blocking the leakages through which Nigeria’s common wealth is been stolen, could be an economic policy of the Nigerian Government.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Mr John Oloyede said that “most Nigerians don’t know the economy policy or social policy of the government which could be because of what had been delayed.
“My own view is that fighting corruption can be a policy of the government and President Muhammadu Buhari had made it known from the inception that his government is based on fight against corruption.
“Looking at it from the perspective of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), why should blocking leakages, arresting corrupt politicians be selective?”, he questioned.
While agreeing that it was out of place that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies seemed to be chasing down people in the opposition party, Mr Oloyede said that such scenario was “not a new thing in the polity”.
Mr Oloyede further spoke about his perception of the fight against corruption by the government and agencies. “The government of the day and previous government keep fighting corruption on the pages of the dailies”, he stressed.
While stating that it was possible to trace stolen wealth or diverted property, he added that the country “does not have people who are going to trace the suspects”.
“How many cases that have been blown up in the media at the investigatory stages, have ended successful for the EFCC? The best they’ve done so far, is plea bargaining, which is ridiculous.
“I doubt whether anything serious would change in this country because there are apparatus of government that would bring about the change which is seriously suspect.
“How many prominent people in this country have been jailed for crimes they commit?”, he questioned.
The PDP had accused the Federal Government of dictatorship, alleging that the administration of President Buhari is only using the anti-corruption posture as a tool to witch-hunt PDP members and perceived political opponents of the APC government.
However, in a swift reaction, the President’s Adviser on Media, Mr Femi Adesina said that Mr Olisa Metuh’s claim that the President’s anti-corruption war was one-sided was untrue.
Giving his opinion about the response of Mr Femi Adesina to the allegation made by the PDP, Mr Oloyede said, “I think Mr Adesina is carrying out his duty.
“Ordinarily, it’s not a kite that should fly at such an altitude. I don’t think what the PDP said is worthy of the presidential remark.
“What I envisioned was a response from the EFCC”, he said.
