6th December, 2012
Dr Nasir Fagge, President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Thursday advised Nigeria’s Federal Government to prosecute and punish Nigerians found guilty of corruption.
Fagge gave the advice in Lagos.
He was reacting to the 2012 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report which placed Nigeria as 35th most corrupt country in the world.
The report, released on December 5, ranked Nigeria 139th, along with Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan and Azerbaijan. That also makes Nigeria the 35th most sorrupt country in the world.
The ASUU President said that the government should adopt the right approach to win the war against corruption.
He stressed that conviction of culprits was the best approach to winning the war against corruption, rather than adopting the “window dressing approach“.
Fagge said that the window dressing approach presently being used would not help solve corruption among government officials and public office holders.
“It is not about fighting corruption, but adopting the right approach.
“Yes, culprits have been caught but we are yet to really see people that have been caught and punished appropriately.
“Government officials and public office holders will continue to indulge in corruption because they believe they will not be punished.
“The truth is that, we will not be able to address the issue of corruption until, and unless the culprits that are caught are punished appropriately to serve as deterrent to others, “ he said.
He opined that corrupt officials should be given life sentences, adding that such an offence was against all Nigerians.
“Government catch people for corruption today and tomorrow you see them on the streets walking as free men and even being given higher responsibilities.
“What the Federal government is doing is like window dressing, “ he said