A former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, has urged the anti-corruption agencies in the country to de-emphasise plea bargaining because it encourages looting.
To him, imprisonment and forfeiture of all stolen assets will better deter stealing of public funds rather than asking those found culpable to return what was stolen to avoid a jail term.
Kolade, who spoke during the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) distinguished Management Lecture, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to maintain zero-tolerance for corruption and monitor those under him closely.
The theme of the lecture was: “Managing Nigeria’s Resources for National Development and Political Stability.
Kolade said managing the country’s resources for political stability is challenging, though the nation is in no shortage of wisdom and expertise to get to where it should be.
“To attract investments and retain them, we need to manage the way we talk to ourselves and project ourselves to the outside world so as not to devalue ourselves as a market,” he said.
He urged President Buhari to start implementing his party’s electoral promises, adding that Nigerians are eager to see how he will resuscitate the economy and tackle other challenges.
The guest speaker and renowned economic analyst, Dr. Ayo Teriba, said it would be futile to promote the manufacturing and agricultural industries without also fixing the rail and energy sectors.
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