Makinde signs Anti- Corruption Bill into Law – TheNigerialawyer

…Says: ‘We won’t witchhunt anyone’

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday signed the Oyo
State Anti-Corruption Bill 2019 into law, with a reassurance that
the anti-graft agency that will be set up will not be used to
witch-hunt anybody.

The governor also warned people in strong terms that they should
refrain from writing frivolous petitions, because writers of such
petitions would be dealt with according to the law.

Makinde, who assented to the bill earlier passed by the State
House of Assembly, noted that his assent was a signal that his
government was ready to enforce probity and accountability.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr.
Taiwo Adisa, confirmed that Governor Makinde, immediately after his
assent transferred the law to the Attorney General and Commissioner
for Justice, Prof Oyelowo Oyewo, for further administrative
actions.

The governor had as part of initial declarations upon assumption
of office declared that the state under his watch would establish
its own anti-corruption agency to ensure probity, accountability
and good governance.

While signing the bill into law on Wednesday, Governor Makinde
said: “We have just signed the anti-corruption law for Oyo State.
There is nothing to be afraid of. Why we have domesticated the
anti-corruption law is just as we want the governance to get closer
to the grassroots. We also want to guard the resources of the state
in the same manner.

“Yes, corruption kills the society. When money meant for
projects, salaries and certain developmental initiatives are
diverted, we miss the opportunities.”

The governor, who spoke at the Executive Council Chambers of the
Governor’s Office said that the law has no political colourations
as according to him, corruption and underdevelopment have no
political leanings.

“This is not a law meant to witchhunt anyone. It is not about
politics or political interests. It is not about APC or PDP but
about Oyo State. We know for a fact that if we tackle
corruption,
we will have enough resources to take care of our people and that
is exactly what this law is meant to achieve for us,” he said.

The Governor reiterated his readiness to waive his immunity and
face any corrupt charges against him, if he commits any infractions
to the law.

He added: “So, we believe we have to tackle corruption. I said
it during my inaugural address as the Executive Governor of Oyo
State that I will be ready to waive my immunity to face any
corruption charges against my person and I still maintain that
position.”

The Governor, therefore, enjoined every citizen of the State to
alert the Government of any unscrupulous activities, adding; “if
you see something, say something.”

He also warned against writing frivolous petitions, adding that
anyone found guilty of such would equally be prosecuted.

“I want to implore everybody, the citizens of Oyo State to say
something when they see something. And I can give you the assurance
that we will act. We do know that people may want to take certain
things for granted.

“They may want to use this law to settle scores, because we have
seen situations where people wrote frivolous petitions against
somebody they have hatred for and, with that, they think they have
the opportunity to square up.

“Well, we won’t condone that. If you write a frivolous petition
to us, you will also be sanctioned because that is corruption in
itself.”

He warned the civil servants not to petition themselves wrongly
as anybody found doing so would face the law.

“And for my constituency, the civil servants, I do know that
people jostle for positions, where they malign themselves to get
into a higher position. This is not what the law is about. This
law is to ensure that due processes are followed in our financial
dealings and to ensure our resources are deployed for specific
reasons why they were appropriated for, in the first instance.

The governor further said: “So, it’s a new opportunity for us to
show the world that we can run a transparent and accountable
government. I do hope that nobody here will fall into the trap of
corruption.

“I did mention that there is a serious temptation in this job.
For instance, I am being paid N550,000 and I have to run a yearly
budget of over 200 billion Naira. Of course, we will be tempted but
we have to resist the temptation. We have to know that whichever
position we occupy is based on the trust of the people and when we
leave, we will still go back to the larger society and, if we
perpetuate corruption, the effect is waiting for us out there.

“So, I want to assure the people of Oyo State that this law will
keep us in check, hold us accountable. And if you have anything
about any of us, don’t hesitate to bring the facts out and the law
will take its full course.”