HEDA Chairman Vows to Uphold Two-Decade Anti-Corruption Campaign
LAGOS/Nigeria: In a resolute affirmation of their longstanding commitment to combat corruption, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), has pledged to perpetuate the anti-corruption crusade initiated two decades ago by HEDA.
Speaking to journalists during the commemorative 20th Anniversary Lecture of HEDA’s inception in Lagos, Suraju affirmed, “We will continue to play the facilitating role that we have been doing. We can only influence the process either for the duty bearers to discharge their duty or for the right bearers to claim their rights. It is more for Nigerians to take their destiny into their hands.”
Emphasizing the indispensable role of reforms within the Nigerian Police and the Judiciary to bolster the efficacy of anti-corruption endeavors, Suraju asserted, “If we don’t have an effective policing system with integrity in the country and if the judiciary is not acting as the last hope of the common man, there cannot be any progress.”
Expressing concern over recent judicial pronouncements, particularly regarding corruption cases, Suraju cautioned, “We might be having futile efforts from the anti-corruption agencies because the anti-corruption agencies can only investigate and then charge people to court and be prosecuted. It is the court that will make the final pronouncement; but where the court starts discharging those that were charged for corruption, then we are in big trouble.”
Regarding HEDA’s collaboration with anti-corruption agencies, Suraju highlighted the organization’s significant role in identifying high-profile corruption cases, as acknowledged by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede.
In advocating for enhanced mechanisms to combat corruption, Suraju proposed leveraging international legal frameworks such as the Unexplained Wealth Order in the UK and the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act in the US to hold Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) accountable.
Additionally, Suraju called for the independence of anti-corruption agencies, reorganization of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, and the appointment of suitable leadership within the Code of Conduct Bureau to expedite the prosecution of PEPs.
“Appoint an appropriate head of the Code of Conduct Bureau; it is an agency that have not only constitutional powers but have a special court that can prosecute especially PEPs within the shortest time without necessarily going to court,” Suraju urged, emphasizing the imperative of judicial efficiency in combating corruption.
As HEDA commemorates two decades of unwavering dedication to the anti-corruption cause, Suraju’s steadfast commitment underscores the enduring resolve to cleanse Nigeria’s institutional landscape of endemic corruption.
