Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Wednesday, faulted the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari's Administration, saying it would not achieve anything unless there are appropriate sanctions for offenders and monitoring of corrupt cases by the media.

He also identified lack of discipline, sanctions, monitoring and evaluation of corruption cases as the four major  problems aiding high level of corruption in Nigeria and other developing countries in Africa and Asia in general. 

Sanusi who was represented by the Sarkin Shanun Kano, Mr Shehu Mohammed, said this while speaking at an "International Conference on Tax Havens and the Developing World: The Global Dimension" organised by Centre for General Studies in collaboration with office of International Programmes, University of Ibadan.

He regretted that most companies and individuals who are supposed to pay tax in developing countries in Africa and Asia hide under the guise of tax heaven to avoid tax payment. 

He said, "Most Nigerians do want not to pay tax, most Nigerians use laws to disobey the law. Most individuals and companies in Africa and Asia prefer to take their money to tax heavens to avoid payment of taxes. Corruption is the biggest problem that is encouraging tax heaven." 

The Emir then maintained that the war against corruption could be won within six months if the government instills discipline in the citizens and provides appropriate sanctions for the offenders as he posited that journalists can contribute by monitoring and evaluate corrupt cases under Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).  

"Lack of discipline is paramount in this country, if we tell our people to be discipline, it is the first way to discourage corruption  

"Lack of sanctions. I know the EFCC man that is here, they are fine policemen but if sanctions can be where they should be, I can tell you that six months we can fight corruption.  

"Lack of monitoring and evaluation of corrupt cases, the press are not monitoring corruption cases. I wish the press can keep their diaries and remind the EFCC of all the corruption cases. There is no monitoring of the cases.

"I want to suggest this to the conference and I believe this is what the conference will address." 

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, who was represented by the  Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Emilolorun Ayelari, maintained that tax payment is a compulsory obligation which all citizens within the reach are expected to pay. 

Director General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM),  Prof. Akpan Ekpo, in his keynote address titled, "Tax Havens: Issues of international tax evasion and avoidance - A Global perspective", highlighted lack of transparency and sharing of information as a major problem responsible for low tax revenue in the country. 

He however suggested establishment of public registries of verified ownership of all legal entities. 

Ekpo also called on policy makers to compel multinationals and companies to publicly declared their revenues, profits and losses as ways of ensuring that all and sundry key into payment of taxes.