Minister defends harsh anti-graft laws
From Emmanuel Onwubiko, Abuja
AN explanation came yesterday from the federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice Chief Akinlolu Charles Olujinmi (SAN), that the seeming draconian laws against financial crimes was aimed at protecting the image of the country internationally.
Olujinmi, who spoke at the public presentation of three volumes of a book titled: Nigerian Laws on Public Finance said the laws were churned out to fight the increasing menace of criminal-minded public office holders and other individuals.
He added that the activities of these fraudsters and their collaborators have brought bad publicity to the country and given her a bad image.
He added: "The activities of Advanced Fee Fraud offenders and other criminal elements in our society call for adequate surveillance and draconian measures to nip their ignoble escapades in the bud. Here, the economic reform packages of the present administration will indeed make the civil service system impervious to criminal tendencies, while the Police, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commissioner (ICPC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other relevant agencies, continue to checkmate the attempts to dent Nigeria's image at home and abroad".
The Justice Minister said: "A country is known by its institutional frameworks which are there to uphold the moral ethics and core values.
"It is also on record that this administration has been bold and prompt in reviewing aspects of our statutes that are no longer relevant. Besides, steps have been taken and will we continue to work on all laws to bring them in conformity with the provisions
of the constitution."
The book reviewer, an Abuja-based lawyer Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), described the book as an encyclopaedia of laws on public finance in Nigeria. Prominent Nigerians who graced the book presentation include the former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon. Over N5 million was realised at the event.
