President Muhammadu Buhari has called on nations, where looted assets have been stashed, to release them without the usually long technicalities involved in the process of reptriation.
Buhari, according to a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, made the call in Nouakchott, Mauritania, on Sunday during his introductory remarks as leader of African Union shortly before commencement of the debate on African Anti-Corruption Year.
The theme for this year’s session is: “Winning the Fight against Corruption – A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.”
“We must all collectively work to place high on the agenda the need for open and participatory government, as well as the repatriation of stolen assets without procedural technicalities and legal obstacles,” Mr Buhari said.
Buhari also appraised the anti-corruption efforts so far: “During the last 6 months, we have engaged in multi-sectoral dialogue with a broad range of actors including parliamentarians, national anti-corruption agencies, civil society, media, youth and women groups and development partners.
“We have convened three (3) different regional Consultative Workshops in line with my campaign programme in an effort to sensitize our people on the evil effects of corruption on our societies.
“These workshops will be extended to other regional blocs as we continue the fight against corruption in a bid to transform our continent.”
He also informed the gathering of his intention to partner with AU Chairperson to further push the frontiers of anti-corruption battle: “I plan to convene African Youth Congress in Abuja within the next quarter, and we will be working with Chairman of the African Union, Mr Paul Kagame and Chairperson of African Union Commission, to organize an Interactive Dialogue on the theme at the next session of United Nations General Assembly in New York during the high level segment.”
Buhari called on all other member states yet to ratify African Union Convention on Preventing and Combatting Corruption to take all necessary measures to sign and ratify it with a view to achieving its universal ratification during this calendar year as Republic of Mauritius just did, becoming the 40th state party to the Convention.
He thanked African Heads of State and Government “for the continued support provided to me in driving and amplifying African Union anti-corruption agenda. Your unwavering support remains a strong source of strength and encouragement as we look forward to an even more vigorous second half of this year.”
Buhari stressed that, “the scourge of illicit financial flows continues to bite, eating back the gains and militating against the attainment of our aspirations under Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations 2030 Agenda.”
Buhari reiterated Nigeria’s abiding commitment to the fight against corruption.
Daily Trust
