PACAC seeks quick passage of anti-graft laws

Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC)
Executive Secretary Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye has urged the Senate to
pass pending bills on the anti-corruption war into law.

He said several of such bills have been pending for long without
consideration.

Owasanoye spoke with reporters at a one-day Conference on
Financial System Integrity Improvement, organised by PACAC, the
Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chattered
Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Convention on
Business Integrity (CBI).

According to him, apart from the Mutual Legal Assistance law
that has been passed, others such as the Proceeds of Crime Bill,
have been “hanging”.

Owasanoye said: “They (senators) have passed the Mutual Legal
Assistance legislation, which is to facilitate and improve exchange
of information and evidence between states. The House of
Representatives passed the Proceeds of Crime Act, which is going
through the motions in the Senate.

“But we’ll admit that the process is very slow. This is with
regard in particular to certain key legislations, such as Proceeds
of Crime Bill, Witness Protection Bill, Whistleblower Bill, Crime
Data Register Bill and the Money Laundering Bill, which have been
hanging there.

“So, there is no doubt that there is merit in the criticism that
pro-anti-corruption bills are not moving as quickly as we would
love to see them move.”

The PACAC chairman urged the lawmakers to speed up the
consideration of the bill on special crime court, which he said
will enhance the anti-graft war when passed.

“We’ll like to see also the Special Crimes Court bill passed
expeditiously, so that all of this would help improve the fight
against corruption. All the bills are before the National
Assembly.

“We would wish to see faster processing of such legislation.
But, at the same time, we’re not necessarily saying they should
compromise quality or standards,” he said.

Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC)
Executive Secretary Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye has urged the Senate to
pass pending bills on the anti-corruption war into law.

He said several of such bills have been pending for long without
consideration.

Owasanoye spoke with reporters at a one-day Conference on
Financial System Integrity Improvement, organised by PACAC, the
Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chattered
Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Convention on
Business Integrity (CBI).

According to him, apart from the Mutual Legal Assistance law
that has been passed, others such as the Proceeds of Crime Bill,
have been “hanging”.

Owasanoye said: “They (senators) have passed the Mutual Legal
Assistance legislation, which is to facilitate and improve exchange
of information and evidence between states. The House of
Representatives passed the Proceeds of Crime Act, which is going
through the motions in the Senate.

“But we’ll admit that the process is very slow. This is with
regard in particular to certain key legislations, such as Proceeds
of Crime Bill, Witness Protection Bill, Whistleblower Bill, Crime
Data Register Bill and the Money Laundering Bill, which have been
hanging there.

“So, there is no doubt that there is merit in the criticism that
pro-anti-corruption bills are not moving as quickly as we would
love to see them move.”

The PACAC chairman urged the lawmakers to speed up the
consideration of the bill on special crime court, which he said
will enhance the anti-graft war when passed.

“We’ll like to see also the Special Crimes Court bill passed
expeditiously, so that all of this would help improve the fight
against corruption. All the bills are before the National
Assembly.

“We would wish to see faster processing of such legislation.
But, at the same time, we’re not necessarily saying they should
compromise quality or standards,” he said.