Politics
Failure to conclude high-profile corrupt cases a huge concern, Obasanjo says
Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the country’s failure to successfully prosecute high-profile corruption cases remains a great cause for concern both for citizens of the country and the international community.
Obasanjo stated this when he delivered an inaugural lecture entitled, “Leadership, Governance, and the Challenges of Development in Nigeria: The Way forward” and organised by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), in Abuja.
“Nigeria’s poverty, insecurity, lack of unity and cohesion, youth restiveness and seeming directionless are conscious and unconscious choices made by Nigerian leaders. The impact of corruption on the Nigerian society and economy has been devastating. It continues to affect the government’s ability to provide basic services and has negatively impacted on the wellbeing of the population.
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“The lack of successful prosecution of high-profile corruption cases involving some Politically-Exposed Persons is giving a serious cause for concern both for Nigerians and the international community. We must take away the proceeds of illicit enrichment and remove negative role models in our society,” he said.
He went further to say that the country must invest in areas that can improve human security including food, education, and health.
“Our budget must reflect a genuine commitment for the development of infrastructure such as roads, rails, power, ports and housing. When we spend 70 to 80 per cent of our revenue on recurrent expenditure, we have very little left for capital and infrastructural development,” he said.
Obasanjo added, “We should move to 50 per cent of our revenue being spent on capital development.”
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JOHNSON PETER
May 3, 2017 at 1:48 pm
The father of corruption in Nigeria has spoken and he has indicted himself unwittingly, efcc should not hesitate to quiz him too because his case is also a high profile case as he stole from the coffer of the government
Animashaun Ayodeji
May 3, 2017 at 2:43 pm
If EFCC refuses to go after him, why not do their job for them since you know how to handle cases like this? Obasanjo cannot be prosecuted for anything in this country, he’s technically above the law.
yanju omotodun
May 3, 2017 at 8:18 pm
Keep quiet, he is not in any way bigger than the law but just for peace to reign and stability in governance. Who is Obj when Abacha was on throne? Buhari don’t want to create scene
Balarabe musa
May 4, 2017 at 3:33 am
The case of Abacha is different , Abacha was only clearing away people who are barriers to his government and not fighting against corrupt people because he himself is the king of corruption
Agbor Chris
May 3, 2017 at 2:32 pm
Obasanjo is very correct and he’s one of the High-Profile corrupt people Nigeria must prosecute. The originator of corruption
Anita Kingsley
May 3, 2017 at 3:55 pm
Obasanjo should please endeavor to always keep his mouth shut on corruption issues in Nigeria, we’ve seen all of you and how you wrecked this country because of your selfish interest.
Balarabe musa
May 4, 2017 at 3:31 am
That was past tense. So let him castigate corrupt politicians of nowadays
seyi jelili
May 3, 2017 at 8:38 pm
It’s of importance action to conclude high corruption profile cases truly so it can curb others who intend doing such and also detriment to every corrupt politicians.