The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe, SAN, today Monday, 9th September, 2024 joined key stakeholders in the fight against corruption at a one-day roundtable engagement organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Themed Building a Unified Front Against Corruption in Nigeria,โ the event aimed to foster collaboration between the State Attorneys-General, the ICPC, and other key actors in Nigeriaโs criminal justice system. The session, which took place with the support of the MacArthur Foundation, marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat corruption across the country.
The roundtable drew an impressive gathering of participants, including the Attorney General of the Federation, State Attorneys-General, top officials of the ICPC, representatives from various government agencies, civil society organizations, and seasoned legal practitioners like Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN (keynote speaker). It provided a forum for robust discussions on critical issues, such as identifying corruption-inducing social norms within the criminal justice system, developing preventive strategies, and enhancing the synergy between anti-corruption agencies and state-level legal authorities.
In his goodwill message, the NBA President commended the ICPC for spearheading the initiative and highlighted the critical role the legal profession must play in eliminating corruption from Nigeriaโs socio-political and legal fabric.
The NBA Presidentโs address underscored the vital importance of addressing corruption, which he described as โone of the most significant threats to our national development, democratic stability, and social well-being.โ He emphasized that corruption weakens public institutions, stifles economic progress, and erodes trust in governance, thereby affecting the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
The NBA President highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration between the ICPC and judicial officers, particularly State Attorneys-General, in streamlining the prosecution of corruption cases. He advocated for better coordination in investigations and prosecutions to prevent delays that could impede justice. โA seamless partnership,โ he remarked, โwill ensure that corruption cases are dealt with swiftly and effectively.โ
The Learned Silk also emphasized that the fight against corruption requires the active participation of all stakeholdersโacross all levels of government and society. He commended the ICPC for bringing State Attorneys-General and other partners together to identify shared challenges and opportunities for collaboration. He said the roundtable should mark the โ beginning of stronger partnerships and actionable outcomesโ that will lead to a more transparent, accountable, and just society.
The eventโs focus on advancing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) aligns closely with the NBAโs broader agenda for fostering good governance, rule of law, and justice in Nigeria. In his closing remarks, the NBA President reaffirmed the Associationโs unwavering commitment to working with all partners to dismantle the social, political, and economic structures that perpetuate corruption in Nigeria.
In his opening address, the Chairperson of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu, SAN, outlined the Commissionโs focus on expanding its mcapacity for preventive measures and fostering collaborations at the state level to address corruption more effectively. She noted that corruption, particularly within the criminal justice system, requires a โunified and multi-pronged approachโ to ensure that justice is not compromised.
The Chairperson also identified specific areas where State Attorneys-General could support the ICPC, including providing state-level insights into local corruption challenges and collaborating on corruption prevention initiatives.
The NBA President left the gathering with a powerful message: โWe must build a Nigeria where integrity, accountability, and the rule of law are the cornerstones of governance and justice.โ His speech resonated with the audience and reaffirmed the Nigerian Bar Associationโs leadership role in shaping the countryโs anti-corruption landscape.
The NBAโs continued involvement in the fight against corruption, coupled with the ICPCโs commitment to forging strategic partnerships, offers hope for meaningful progress in the effort to eradicate corruption from Nigerian society. This roundtable represents an important step forward in creating a unified front against corruptionโone that could significantly shape the future of justice and governance in Nigeria.