The Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad, on Wednesday said the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari might be futile if he did not implement the Administration of Criminal Justice Act passed by the 7th National Assembly.
He also said it was important and urgent for Buhari to appoint the Attorney General of the Federation who, he said, should also put in place appropriate structures to prevent lawyers from taking advantage of some loopholes and scuttle the well intentioned Federal Government’s anti-graft war.
Speaking during a media briefing in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Ahmad also said the appointment of a legal icon, Prof. Itse Sagay, by Buhari to head the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption was a laudable development.
Noting that corruption had inhibited national growth, he urged Buhari to remain courageous, decisive and follow the rule of law in his anti-graft posture.
Ahmad, who was the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Justice, also said the Whistle-blower’s Act passed by the 7th National Assembly should be assented to by Buhari to protect people including civil servants who will reveal corrupt acts.
He stated that currently, there is no legal protection for whistle-blowers, adding that they might suffer intimidation and some harm if the law was not assented to so that they could be protected.
Ali said, “I am happy with the president’s pronouncement that the trial for corrupt officials will start in few weeks. Corruption should be followed up. It is something that should follow due process. I must commend the President for his appointment of Prof. Itse Sagay. That is a good move.
“The war on corruption, in my view, in a political dispensation will be won this way: one in court as the president has said, and two by following due process. In court, the Federal Government is now fully armed with laws and bills that it can channel towards corruption in a democratic dispensation. The 7th legislature passed the Administration of Criminal Justice bill which was signed at the last moment of President Goodluck Jonathan. President Buhari should take full advantage in implementing it. If President Buhari does not implement this law, I am afraid, his war on corruption will be scuttled in the law court by Senior Advocates of Nigeria.”
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