The fight against corruption by anti-graft agencies would continue to remain a mirage, unless the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is completely overhauled, Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) says.
Speaking through its Director, at the University of Uyo 2nd Faculty of Management Sciences Public lecture entitled Corruption and National Development in Nigeria, held at the Onyeama Ugochukwu Hall, Town Campus on Wednesday, 3rd July, 2024, CHRAN maintained that the Constitution, which it said, was promulgated by the military using Decree No. 24 of 1999 impedes the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
The Center, in a statement on Thursday, 4 July, 2024, signed by its Director and Secretary, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, and Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo, respectively, and made available to journalists in Uyo, commended the Guest Speaker of the occasion, Dr. Asikpo Essien-Ibok, for his resourcefulness and industry in his paper.
Related news
- CHRAN decries development deficit in Akwa Ibom LGAs
- New Executive bill may crash with AKROIMA’s functions – CHRAN fears
- CHRAN urges Gov Eno, LG Chairmen to account for monthly allocations
It noted that if the contents of his 109-page book, “Corruption and National Development in Nigeria” are adhered to, it would serve as national checklist in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
The Public Lecture had the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudo Ndaeyo, represented by the Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Rev. Sister (Prof.) Anthonia Essien; the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Uduak Ubom, while Prof. Christopher Ekong and Prof. Patrick Akpan were discussants. The event was chaired by Prof. Trenchard Ibia.
The CHRAN Director had, during his goodwill message at the Public Lecture, picked holes in some sections of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, such as section 2(2), section 7(1), section 162(6), section 197(1)(b), amongst several others.
