I want bribe givers, takers punished: Obasanjo

I want bribe givers, takers punished: Obasanjo

On June 27, 2012 · News

By Victor Chigozie Ezekiel
ABUJA— Looking at the bribery allegation between a member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan and Femi Otedola, the business mogul, over the fuel subsidy report, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said both the giver and taker of bribe must be punished according to the law.

 Speaking to the The Guardian of London, Obasanjo said fighting corruption in Nigeria was not a one-night affair.

He said: “Fighting corruption is not a one-night affair. The givers of most of the corruption in Africa are from outside Africa. They do in Africa (things) they would not do in their own countries. In my part of the world, we have a saying that the man who carries a pot of palm oil from the ceiling is not the only thief. He has an accomplice in the man who helps him to bring it down. The giver and the taker are criminals, and they should be treated as such.”
Obasanjo told the reporters that instead of saying Nigerian leaders lack accountability, the paper should say they are corrupt.

“You are being euphemistic when you say lack of accountability. Call it corruption. There is no part of the world where corruption is absolutely eliminated. But (in other countries) corruption has not been a way of life. When you are found, you are dealt with. And that’s what we need.”

The former president was in UK to promote investment in Nigeria and Africa.

He said: “I still believe in the opportunities that Africa affords to make legitimate money. Africa is one place I believe that if you are courageous enough, you get the money, you can invest and get 25 per cent return on your investment annually. There aren’t many places in the world where you can get that return.”