From Magnus Eze, Abuja

Former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has said there is nothing wrong with the way and manner the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is prosecuting the fight against corruption.

This follows the Federal Government’s declaration that  corruption remains the biggest threat to the economic and political development of any country, hence, its resolve to tackle the menace to a standstill.

Ribadu, who stated this while chairing the 11th Annual October Lecture of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in Abuja, noted there could be mistakes along the line, but what was most important was the honesty of purpose, stressing that such could be permitted as collateral damage, sometimes, in war situation.

He stated, categorically, there should be no sacred cow in anti-graft war and urged the Judiciary to throw its full weight behind the fight. “However, even if we disagree with the method, we have to appreciate the fact that what is being done is needed. The Judiciary should understand this and cooperate fully. We have to have this all-out war against corruption without sparing any sacred cow,” he said.

On the opinion in certain quarters that the present administration lacked economic policy, he insisted that no policy could work in a confused environment.

“We have to do first things first; in a confused environment, in a free for all environment, things are terrible; everybody is taking advantage of wherever he finds himself, it could mean we will find it difficult to even come up with any policy that works.

“I am excited with the fact that the president understood that. He has a very powerful anti-corruption team, he is able to articulate very well his war against Boko Haram, and keep very decisive decision and laying the foundation for the economic work,” Ribadu stated.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the on-going efforts by the Federal Government to revive the nation’s economy will not yield positive results unless the fight against corruption was also intensified.

The minister said there was a direct correlation between corruption and economic growth and noted that corruption stifles economic growth in many ways, including by discouraging foreign investment, reducing tax revenue and preventing infrastructure development.