Corruption, the bane of Nigeria

It is a hydra headed monster and a clog in the wheel of progress of this nation. Over the years, Nigeria has lost billions of dollars to corruption. It has also suffered profound image bashing from the international community.Indeed, the level of corruption in Nigeria has become so bad that the judiciary which ought to […]

It is a hydra headed monster and a clog in the wheel of progress of this nation. Over the years, Nigeria has lost billions of dollars to corruption. It has also suffered profound image bashing from the international community.
Indeed, the level of corruption in Nigeria has become so bad that the judiciary which ought to be the last hope of the common-man has become infested with the disease to the point that some judges have been axed by the National Judicial Council of Nigeria.
Recently, the Council sanctioned five judges for various acts of corruption and professional misconduct. While Justice Gladys Olotu and Ufot Inyang were recommended for sack, Justice Dalhatu Adamu, A.A Adeleye, and D.O Amaechina were issued with a warning.
In the same vein, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, the Chief Justice of Nigeria   gave a stern warning to judges during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed 25 justices the Court of Appeal. “I urge you to understand that there is no middle ground and no room on the bench for those found to be contemptible arbiters of truth. There shall be zero tolerance to judicial corruption and misconduct in Nigerian judiciary”, Mukhtar stated.
It is the terrible consequences of corruption on the Nigerian society that informed the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies to help combat the social monster.  Unfortunately, the efforts of these anti-corruption agencies seem not to be well appreciated. This perception may be true considering the way some public officers still loot our commonwealth.  Daily, we hear different reports of cases of corruption. These include Abacha loot, fraud in SURE-P, the N255m bulletproof cars (Oduahgate), the unremitted $20bn by the NNPC, the N20bn Police Pension scam and the N10.1bn jet maintenance for the petroleum minister, Alison-Maduekwe among others. The country is practically bleeding from corruption!
The war against corruption can only be won if patriotic Nigerians, including the judiciary, support the fight. Judges must desist from granting frivolous applications aimed at delaying trial of corruption cases. A situation where those who should be in jail are allowed to walk the streets free is not only discouraging but serves as an incentive to others to be corrupt. Judges must be firm in dealing with corruption matters. Hopefully, the new practice directive by the CJN if abide with by both the bar and bench will go a long way in reducing corruption in Nigeria. This is my humble prayer.
 
 Alani Ayo, Abuja
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