CDHR Demands Prosecution of Corrupt Nigerians

By Fatai Olamide

A Non Governmental organization, the Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has lent its voice to the current anti corruption campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari by demanding the prosecution of all treasury looters.

The CDHR members, in a peaceful rally in Osogbo, Osun State capital, took to the streets to demand prosecution of those found culpable in the looting of the nation economy.

The about three kilometres rally that took off along Gbongan-Ibadan Road, Osogbo ended at the Osun State Government Secretariat, Abere, where some pamphlets containing lists of demands were tendered to Governor Rauf Aregbesola for onward delivery to President Muhammadu Buhari.

CityMirrorNews recalls that recent attempts by top government officials involved in corruption charges to frustrate judicial prosecutions have raised concerns among citizens the national anti corruption campaign may die prematurely.

The chairman of the organisation, Akin Asifat who said their main demand is justice explained that, “the amount of money looted and misappropriated by public officials, running into trillions of Naira are more than enough to provide first class hospitals across the country”.

He thus urged the government to use the money being recovered from those undergoing prosecution to establish new production lines to generate employment opportunities for the teaming youths.

Responding, Gov. Aregbesola identified with the concerns of members of the CDHR, describing them as the Voice of Nigeria Grassroots.

Aregbesola promised to personally deliver the organisation’s demand to the president upon his return from China even as he lamented how some wicked Nigerians have crippled the nation’s economy through corruption.

“Even before the crash in the price of oil globally, some cabals were allegedly stealing millions of barrels of crude consistently. This had set the country’s economy, which was heavily dependent on the commodity, on steady collapse even before the glut in the oil market”.

While commending President Buhari’s commitment to apprehending looters and ensuring Nigeria benefits from its endowments, Aregbesola also urged the human rights body to speak against low productivity in governance and every facet of Nigeria’s life.

“As we are condemning corruption, so must we speak against low productivity. Though corruption is a scourge that must be stopped, low productivity is a curse that must be rejected”, he concluded.