A former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, Wednesday said corruption thrives in the country because Nigerians worship money.
He said the problem with the country is impunity, adding: “the level of greed is unacceptable.”
Speaking during a plenary session of the ongoing Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Owerri, Imo State, Obi, who spoke on the topic: “Nigeria, Any Hope For industrial Revolution,” said corruption does more than harm development.
“Corruption and greed kill entrepreneurship, hardwork and professionalism,” he said.
Obi condemned greed among political office holders who assume power with the single aim of enriching themselves with filthy lucre.
“Someone is voted into office and had no house, no car, but in six months, the person has three cars, six houses, and the person organises a thanksgiving. Even the bishop is praying for him to make more money.
“We have to start fighting those things that make industrial revolution impossible. We have to start by building a country where there is zero tolerance for greed and impunity,” Obi said.
Meanwhile, the NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN), has called for a reform of appointment and elevation of judges and justices.
He said nothing in law stops a qualified lawyer from being appointed a state’s Chief Judge, adding that a lawyer should also be able to go to the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court from the Bar without having to serve on the bench first.
Wali also sought a review of the Constitution to divest governors of powers to appoint Chief Judges.
He said, “Why should another arm of government appoint the head of another arm? Does the judiciary appoint the governor of a state? Do we appoint the speaker of the House of Assembly? So why should they appoint our head?”
A former NBA President, Joseph Daudu (SAN), said the Chief Justice of Nigeria should not preside over the National Judicial Council (NJC) which has the responsibility of appointing and disciplining judges.
Source: The Nation
