THE President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Davidson Alaribe, says the Nigerian Judicial System shields corruption and has made war against corruption not yielding the best results. He said this while speaking to newsmen in Abuja.
Alaribe calls for reforms in the judicial and financial systems to help check corruption in the country.
When asked about public finance and whether Nigeria’s annual budget meets legal standards, Alaribe emphasized that while the country had policies in place, the main issue lies in the poor implementation of these rules. He highlighted how public finances were governed by clear rules, but corruption and inefficiency at various levels hinder progress.
He expressed frustration with the lack of action in addressing corruption, noting that many public servants enter government with good intentions but fall into unethical practices once in office. Alaribe also explained ICAN’s efforts to combat unethical behavior within its ranks, including a robust disciplinary process and an investigating panel. Alaribe further criticized Nigeria’s judicial system, stating that it is too lenient and allows corrupt individuals to escape punishment. He called for a special court to handle corruption cases with swift trials and stronger penalties, including the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty in extreme cases.
On the issue of banking charges, Alaribe urged Nigerians to be vigilant and report unfair practices. He emphasized the importance of understanding loan terms and monitoring bank transactions to prevent undue charges.
He concluded by calling for a stronger societal commitment to fighting corruption and emphasized the need for Nigerians to educate younger generations on the value of integrity over wealth.
