We know the Identities of looters – Lai Mohammed
The minister of information and culture Lai Mohammed has said the federal government knows the identity of those who have embezzled Nigeria’s resources.
According to The Sun, Lai Mohammed who spoke in Lagos on Sunday, January 24, said those who have milked the country dry were influential Nigerians who own “newspapers, radio and television stations and an army of supporters to continuously deride the government’s war against corruption”.
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The minister reiterated the administration’s resolve to fight corruption, noting that the anti-graft war must be won for the nation to achieve sustainable growth.
He said the commendation which US secretary of state John Kerry gave to President Muhammadu Buhari about his anti-graft fight at the just-concluded World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos was a welcomed development.
He said ”The federal government is delighted that the anti-corruption war being led by President Muhammadu Buhari has been acknowledged and applauded on a global stage.
It is particularly gratifying that in that speech, Mr Kerry made the link between corruption and terrorism. We agree that corruption is indeed a radicaliser because it destroys faith in legitimate authority.
“Let me remind you, gentlemen, that radicalisation is a key causative factor of terrorism.
“We know that those who stole us dry are powerful. They have newspapers, radio and television stations and an army of supporters to continuously deride the government’s war against corruption.
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“But we are undaunted and will not relent until corruption is also decimated.”
The minister said the endemic poverty in the country was as a result of corruption.
He said: Appropriated funds have mostly ended up in the pockets of a few looters. When the money meant to construct roads is looted, the end result is that the roads are not built and the people suffer and even die in avoidable road accidents. When the money meant to provide electricity is looted, we all are perpetually sentenced to darkness. When the money meant for healthcare is pocketed by a few, we are unable to reduce maternal and infant mortality. These are the costs of corruption.
Mohammed said the anti-graft war is not to vilify anyone, noting that the federal government wants Nigerians to know what corruption has done to their lives.
Meanwhile, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state has taken Lai Mohammed to the cleaners over the latter’s claims that 15 former governor and 55 Nigerians stole over N1.34 trillion from the country’s treasury from 2006 to 2013.
According to the Tribune, Fayose, in a release issued by his special assistant on public communications and new media, Lere Olayinka, challenged, Lai Mohammed to name those he alleged had stolen N1.34 trillion from the country’s treasury.
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