Osigwe spoke at a round table with Attorneys-General (AGs) and Commissioners for Justice in the 36 states and other stakeholders on Monday in Abuja.
Speaking at the event organised by the Independent Corruption Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Osigwe stressed the need to combat corruption and improve transactional efficiency in the nation.
He pointed out the transformative potential of efficient transactions, noting that streamlined processes can greatly enhance business operations and foster a more effective society.
“It is not easy to make progress, but our commitment to reducing corruption and fostering efficiency will pave the way for a better future and I would like to say that if we do not fight corruption, then we will fail to do to make a better society.” The NBA boss added. Also speaking, the ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, cited the need for a united approach to overcome threats to Nigeria’s peace, governance, and socio-economic development by eradicating corruption. Aliyu highlighted the ICPC’s efforts to address legal and procedural challenges, including past resistance to enforcing anti-corruption measures beyond federal jurisdiction.
He referred to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of AG Ondo State v AG Federation (2002), which reinforced the ICPC’s mandate across all levels of government despite federalism concerns.
He however, noted that despite these advancements, ongoing legal challenges and court cases continue to impact the ICPC’s operations.
Aliyu urged state Attorneys General and other key stakeholders to leverage their positions to promote justice and combat corruption effectively.
“The fight against corruption will fail if the nation is not united. Nothing has aided and facilitated corruption more than our division. Why is my tribesman being prosecuted when the other tribesman is not being prosecuted for the same thing or worse? These are the kinds of questions that are sometimes urged or asked. We must come together as one people. God has called us to be one, to live in peace and harmony. We ought not to be divided, State from state, tribe from tribe, faith from faith, the rich from the poor. Let us begin now to break down the walls that separate us and to tear down the fences of indifference and hatred. We cannot do so until we free ourselves from pride and self-seeking and overcome our prejudices and fears. The time has come when we must cease to treat one another as strangers in our own land. All hands must be on deck to raise our country from the valley of disunity, of uncertainty, of violence and of corruption,” he stated.