Ribadu:

The former EFCC Chairman, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, says it is the statutory responsibility of a country’s president to fight corruption from all angles.

Ribadu said this at the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) (Chartered), 2016 Annual Conference in Abuja on Monday.

“Nobody else, it is not the duty of any governor or any chairman of a local government; it rests on the shoulder of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria; if any one steals one naira in Uyo or Bayelsa State, it is the responsibility of the president to stop and bring him to justice.

“I think it is something the federation and the Federal Government should do a lot to ensure that they carry out constitutional duties and responsibilities.’’

Ribadu called for the celebration of good people “and let there be acceptance that this is what we want and let there be disgrace for the opposite; it must be we who can do that’’.

On recovered monies, he said there was no way anybody could steal the recovered monies, adding that recovery by EFCC had process which took time.

Ribadu said there was no recovery without a court order, adding that the recovered monies were exhibits and the ultimate was the court order.

He noted that the recovered monies from governors were usually sent back to the state the money was stolen.

He cited the James Ibori’s case, which the court ordered that the money recovered from the ex-Delta Governor should be sent to the Federation Account.

The former chairman said all those monies recovered went nowhere but the federation account, saying he was surprised that people were saying that the money could be stolen again.

He called for a national conversation where the heads of the executives, legislature and the judiciary would sit together to accept that they would set an order to fight corruption.

He said it was only through that the fight against corruption would succeed in the country.

He also called for the formation of a National Centre where information and data on every Nigerian could be accessed.

The conference is focused on, “Building a new Nigeria: Strategic options and policy imperatives.”

The event has a dual theme on the diversification of Nigerian economy and minimising corruption in public life.(NAN)