No fewer than 50 Civil Society Organisations in the country would on November 3 and 4 converge on Abuja to discuss legal frameworks to strengthen the anti-corruption war.
Dr. Walter Duru, the Executive Director, Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption, made this known at a news conference on Monday in Calabar, Cross River State.
Duru said that the national discourse by CSOs became necessary in view of recent happenings in the nation’s polity.
He said that the meeting was organised by his organisation in collaboration with Justice for All of the British Council, adding that participating CSOs were drawn from across the country.
Duru said: “Top on the agenda is the consideration of strategies in advocating for the transmission and passage of the Proceeds of Crime Bill, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre Bill, Whistle Blowers Protection and Mutual Legal Assistance Bills.
“Recall that Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, promised Nigerians that the present Federal Government is committed to the passage of the bills.
“During the annual Conference on Financial Fraud, Cyber Crime and Cross Border Crimes, held in Abuja in February, 2016, the Attorney-General assured Nigerians that the bills will be transmitted to the National Assembly as Executive bills.
“He announced that the Mutual Legal Assistance and Money Laundering bills had been already transmitted.
“Till date, nothing appears to be happening in the case of the rest of the bills.
“The primary essence of the meeting is to review the situation and agree on steps to be taken to ensure that those that have roles to play live up to their responsibility.”
Duru stated that the bills are necessary if the country’s anti-corruption war must be effectively fought and won.
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