Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, says the fight against corruption in Nigeria will remain ineffective unless there is genuine political will, warning that the country’s governance system has been “overtaken by corruption.”
“We have an infestation… the system itself has been overtaken by corruption. The EFCC can only do its best; it’s a Nigerian institution. There are good elements and bad elements within it. Those who are doing their job, we must commend them,” he said in an interview with ARISE News on Thursday.
Olumide-Fusika stressed that the effectiveness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) depends less on its leadership and more on the resolve of political leaders to shield it from interference.
“The effectiveness of the EFCC depends more on the political will of people in power to ensure that the organisation is independent and free of influences.
This criticism has been there since Obasanjo’s time. How effective it is depends on the political will,” he said.
While calling current anti-corruption measures “tokenism,” he urged Nigerians to look beyond individual cases or partisan narratives.
“If the country is not functioning well, no matter how much you make, you will not be okay. Irrespective of your professional or selfish interest, it is our duty to save our country from where it is, lift it up and prevent these things from happening,” he said.
Boluwatife Enome
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