Lawyer blames current economic hardship on corruption

chika ebuzor

November 21, 2016 4:15 AM

Falana also slammed the youths for celebrating corrupt individuals who give them crumbs from the ill-gotten loot.

Femi Falana

Human rights activist, Femi Falana has said that the current hardship Nigerians are facing is as a result of the massive looting of the nation’s resources.

According to Punch, the lawyer said this on Friday, November 18, 2016, at a lecture which he delivered at Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun State.

Falana also said “We are not poor in Nigeria. What we have is poverty of ideas of our leaders.”

He called on those in authority to move to a knowledge based economy and stop relying only on natural resources.

Falana also added that the nation might go into chaos if the leaders refuse to invest in the development of human capital.

Adding that “Human capital development is fundamental. We have two laws in Nigeria that have made education free, the UBE Act and the Child’s Rights Act which have been domesticated by about 24 states.

“The court has said that every Nigerian child shall be educated by the Nigerian state. Also, in the case of Femi Falana vs Attorney General of the Federation, the court held that the government should establish the Nigerian Education Bank but that has not been done.

“In those days, if NANS or NUNS got that copy of judgment, they would have made the country ungovernable but these days NANS is busy conferring awards on corrupt governors. Somebody who rigged an election was also honoured.”

Falana earlier accused President Muhammadu Buhari's administration of covering up corruption cases like former President Goodluck Jonathan's government.

chika ebuzor