HEDA also urged African Heads of States to stop the theft of over $100billion representing some 25 percent of Africa’s Gross Domestic Products, (GDP) stolen every year from the continent by local and international collaborators.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) and other stakeholders have said the proposed International Anti-Corruption Court (IACC) would be able to prosecute Africans who steal public funds and hide them in countries in Europe and America.
HEDA also urged African Heads of States to stop the theft of over $100billion representing some 25 percent of Africa’s Gross Domestic Products, (GDP) stolen every year from the continent by local and international collaborators.
The stakeholders spoke at the 33rd Anti-Corruption Situation Room (ACSR), organised by HEDA, one of Africa’s leading anti-corruption groups in collaboration with the Integrity Initiative International (III), held in Abuja, on Tuesday.
Participants called for an International Anti-Corruption Court that would prosecute Africans who steal public funds and countries in Europe and America who receive such illicit funds. They called for an International Anti-Corruption Court to prosecute corrupt officials and hold countries that receive stolen funds accountable.
“Corruption is a threat to development, weakens institutions, fuels poverty and endangers stability across Africa. Corruption is fuelling war, misery and extremism across Africa. The Government and the people need to unite to put an end to the scourge,” participants said.
“Obstacles occasioned by privileges that places selected people above law and order should be removed. Stolen funds should be repatriated by host countries not just the capital but also the excess interests that proceeds from years of banking such illicit funds” HEDA said in the recommendation.
“There is the need for renewed capacity building for Judges with a new curriculum that addresses corruption while there should be secured tenure of office for drivers of anti-corruption institutions.”
For effective service delivery, they called for the need for independent auditing for political aspirants before elections are held.
“Nigeria should improve her anti-corruption profile in order to reflect her status as the largest economy in Africa. There is the need for constant education and enlightenment. ECOWAS and all regional institutions should be strengthened to fight corruption effectively,” HEDA noted.
The high level conference was attended by the former Prime Minister of Senegal who is also a member of Club De Madrid, Her Excellency Aminata Toure. The Club of Madrid is a gathering of some 100 former Presidents and Prime Ministers covering over 70 countries.
Representatives of African Union Advisory Board on Corruption, Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS), Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Commissioner, Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone, International Anti-Corruption Steering Treaty Drafting Committee,s IACC, Justice Richard Goldstone, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi apart from many global anti-corruption experts took part in the historic conference.