A Human rights activist says legislation and strict enforcement of anti-graft laws are the solutions to the wide spread corruption bedeviling the country.
Speaking on the imprisonment of former French President, Nicholas Sarkozy and the conviction of the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, Mr. Higher King noted that such bold move to uphold transparency and accountability could not be experienced in Nigeria at the time being citing weak institutions as reasons.
The legal expert blamed the politicians for not doing the needful to curb the large scale corruption bedeviling the nation.
He expressed optimism that the narrative could be changed if the people exercise their rights and exhibit the willpower to elect credible individuals into the public offices who would legislate and implement laws to build institutions that would entrench transparency and accountability.
“Maybe when people like us get into power we amend the law. People that have the nationalistic spirit, people that have the nation at heart, people that have the idea to better the lives of human beings to protect lives and property.
If such people come to power the narrative would change. First and foremost you amend the law and the law would be enforced.
I don’t advocate death penalty, if you are caught stealing public fund, it will be taken away from you with everything you have stolen and you will be sent to jail without parole,” he stated.
Mr. Higher King stated that if the right mechanism is created, and implemented it will go a long way to sanitise the nation as it is in other climes.
He regretted that people who should be the custodian and enforcer of the rules, and principles spelt out in the constitution are those working against them due to selfish motives.
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“It is possible for now because the politicians who are stealing our national resources, who are making sure the country does not work, would not pass such laws. From president, National Assembly to governors would not want such laws to be passed.
So such a thing would not happen in Nigeria because people who are primarily involved are the politicians. So they won’t make such laws where they will be jailed or condemned to death. So it is still a mirage,” he explained.
The human rights activist explained that corruption has eaten deep into the fabrics of the nation affecting all institutions to the detriment of Nigerians hence the need to eradicate it.
