Lawyers warn Jonathan
The Nigeria Bar Association has charged President Goodluck
Jonathan to make real his promises to deliver on the expectations of Nigerians,
especially asking him to ensure justice is done in corruption cases such as the
Halliburton and Siemens bribery scandals.
The association, in a statement issued by its chairman, Rotimi
Akeredolu, said “it is reassuring to hear from him that the issue of corruption
will be tackled headlong. There are many outstanding cases which constitute
serious embarrassment to the country in the international circles that this
out-going administration must look into urgently.”
The lawyers, however, expressed their surprise at the slow pace
of investigations into the Halliburton and Siemens bribery scandals.
“Some politicians have constituted themselves into a criminal cartel,
wielding tremendous influence in government circles,” said Mr. Akededolu.
“These people are treated specially, to the ludicrous extent that they choose
the venue of their interaction with law enforcement agents.
They insist on being treated like kings while the country groans
under the yoke of their criminal acts. It should not be difficult for this
government to send the right signal to corrupt elements that it will not be
business as usual.”
No more webs
Mr. Akeredolu congratulated Mr. Jonathan on his swearing-in as
the new president, and expressed the satisfaction of the bar association with
the cautious strides already taken by him while acting for his late
predecessor.
He, however, charged him that “Nigerians will not accept any
excuse for non-performance. As the president stands on the threshold of
history, we must not fail to tell him that the only legacy that will secure his
place in the pantheon of the gods, several years after he must have joined his
ancestors, is to institute the process that will culminate in the conduct of a
credible election.
The removal of (Maurice Iwu) the chairman of INEC should not be seen as an
end in itself. Time is not the friend of this administration. The President
cannot afford to fail.”
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