Buhari Sets Up Committee On War Against Corruption

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption headed by Professor Itse Sagay, a prominent professor of law and civil rights activist.
The Committee is to advise the present administration on the prosecution of the war against corruption and the implementation of required reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

It is also expected to develop comprehensive interventions for achieving recommended reforms.
The members are Professor Femi Odekunle, a Professor of Criminology, Ahmadu Bello University, Dr. Benedicta Daudu, an Associate Professor of International Law, University of Jos, Professor E. Alemika, a Professor of Sociology, University of Jos and Professor Sadiq Radda, a Professor of Criminology, Bayero University, Kano.
Others are Hadiza Bala Usman, a Civil Society Activist and Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, who is also the Executive Secretary of the Committee.
‘Kill Corruption’
According to a statement by a spokesman for the President, Mr Femi Adesina, an Anti-Corruption and Criminal Justice Reform Fund has been established by three international development partners namely the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation and Open Society Foundation in support of the Nigerian Government’s efforts.
The $5 million fund is to assist implementation of key components of the Action Plan and the work of the Presidential Advisory Committee.
The fund will be managed by Trust Africa, an international development Civil Society Organisation with programme presence in more than 25 African countries.
President Buhari had, during his campaign, stressed the need to ‘kill corruption’ in public sector and recover looted funds and the committee has been set up as part of efforts to ensure the actualisation of the promise.
“If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria,” he said.