OWERRI — GOVERNOR Achike Udenwa of Imo State has told accountants to help in eradicating cases of fraud in public and private establishments across the country. In a message to the annual dinner of the Owerri District Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, in Owerri, the governor said: "The cases of fraud being reported at intervals in public and private establishments are getting nauseating and dangerous to the healthy growth of the Nigeria. Members of ICAN therefore have an onerous duty to check the ugly trend if our collective quest for a better society is to be realised," Udenwa pleaded.
"No fraud, he said, was likely to succeed if trained accountants did their job sincerely and refuse to be drawn into the crime. I have a very strong belief that no fraud, no matter the size, is likely to succeed if our accountants do their jobs sincerely. No fraud will succeed if accountants resist the temptation of wanting to acquire wealth through the fast means," the governor said.
In a lecture on the "Rule of law versus rule of force," at the occasion, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Owerri branch, Mr. Ken C. O. Njemanze, said that the government and governed were subject to the Constitution. "Consequently, failure by government or any individual to adhere to or follow the provisions of the 1999 Constitution renders such acts unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect. Constitutionalism therefore is the antithesis of arbitrary or despotic rule," Njemanze said.
He argued that although "the legal or judicial process may be slow, it is incumbent on all persons to patiently await the decision of the court," adding that "closely connected with the above is the unqualified obligation on every person, the government and the governed, to obey the order and or any judgement of court."
Njemanze further argued that rule of force means rule of self help or taking of action without following the law or due process, adding that under the rule of force, things are done not according to predetermined rules, but according to the crude and uncivilised momentary whims and caprices of the strong, mighty,wealthy or ruler.
"We are all well aware of recent happenings in Anambra and Plateau states. Under the Constitution, there are laid down procedure for the removal of a state governor. Though the President can, under some given circumstances, declare a state of emergency in a state, he cannot suspend or remove the governor of a state," Njemanze said. While saying that it was treasonable felony for anyone to use force to remove a state governor, the Owerri NBA Chairman also said that all democrats should condemn the happenings in Anambra and Plateau states.
"Instances where our governments and citizens have resorted to rule of force are many but I must statet hat it will benefit society if we all accept the rule of law. By so doing, we shall avoid chaos, anarchy and wanton destruction of lives and properties," Mr. Njemanze said.
