By our reporter
Prominent Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, on Friday said the Federal Government so far cannot be said to be accountable and transparent in its management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the once governorship aspirant in Ekiti under the platform of the National Conscience Party in 2007, the lackadaisical nature of the Nigerian government spans throughout all the levels of the government, notably the state governments.
Speaking during a virtual event hosted by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), titled “COVID-19 spending: The role of students in holding federal and state governments to account”, Falana said; “What happens at the Federal Government level, same goes for the states too.
“It is the same attitude of lackadaisical attitude. We spend money anyhow, we are not accountable to the people. It is the same picture you get all over the country.
Speaking on the roles of students in the fight against corruption, Falana said; “As citizens, students are required by virtues of section 15, subsection 5 of the constitution to join the fight against corruption.
“Also in section 24 of the constitution, one of the duties of the citizens is to help law enforcement agencies to promote law and order in the country.”
He also noted that citizens have the responsibility to demand accountability from their leaders and also fight against corruption.
According to Falana, judging by Nigerian students’ attitude, they are comfortable with the level of corrupt practices in the country.
Falana made reference to the students’ response to activities affecting bodies that concerned their institutions and their identity as a student.
“Students haven’t join the campaign of ASUU or NASU or another campus union to fight corruption on the campuses.
” I remember a few years ago, I had to petition the national assembly over funds collected by JAMB every year which are not accounted for.
“Luckily, the new JAMB management has been sending money to the account of the Federal Government. In the last four years, I think over N20 billion has been returned as money collected from applicants annually.”
He opined students could have requested the Federal Government spend the remitted money on improving the facilities of the campuses since it is not revenue generated by the federal government.
