
The Federal Government has been told to ensure fairness and transparency in the way the anti-corruption battle is being fought, in order not to give the impression of witch-hunting any particular set of people.
The piece of advice was given by the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, at the weekend.
According to him, Nigerians had agreed that there was an intolerable level of corruption in the country and that something should be done about it, but it should not be done by just rounding up a few people.
The Cardinal noted that it would be difficult to find anybody who had a hand in the affairs of this country in the last 20 years and not to have something against him or her.
He, however, warned government against creating the impression of witch-hunting.
While reacting to the trial of former Head of Service of the Federation, Mr Stephen Oronsaye, the archbishop said government should be careful and protect those who could be facing trial based on having made enemies while in government.
Onaiyekan also advised that judges be allowed to do their work without harassment and intimidation.
“When I talk about structures, we are to include not only how business should be conducted in the civil service, but how the law should be administered. The whole scenario of 100 lawyers invading a court over one case is ridiculous. We should find a way to prevent such charade.
“We have to see that judges are in position to do their work without intimidation, without harassment. We are talking of separation of power, without anybody telling them what to do.
“When we see the way some of the cases are going, one becomes a bit worried. Some of the judges have also come out to say that they were under strong influences, that they are not free to do their work. How many of them can resist any influences from above and from different places?
“We are back to the rules and to how things are done properly. I would have hoped that the whole process of dealing with the cases of corruption can be dispensed with without too much rigmarole and we still ensure that justice was done,” he said.