Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Nigeria: Corruption, Inc.

If you ever wonder why even the most ardent Nigeriaphilic voices have all but given up on that peculiar construction; why its foundation, cemented onto a bedrock of festering, gooey petroleum, could never support the boneless structure of a pretend-nation, just take a look at this one episode of the shameful--sorrily, not particularly unique--story of official corruption in Nigeria.

The sad thing is not just that for years, these individuals whose dirty hands ravaged that country's commonwealth in an orgy of avarice, were not only protected by the Nigerian civilian government but that they enjoyed the company of the high and mighty in Europe and America. So, now the US government is going to seize these properties bought with monies that belonged to the Nigerian people? Funds that could no doubt build major infrastructure so badly needed by a distressed and impoverished citizenry? Here's my proposal, Mr. US Law. After you have, I hope, successfully prosecuted these criminals and deducted the monies you spent in the courts of law, could you please send the balance to someone (governmental or not) who could spend it on something that will benefit the Nigerian people?

Read the Quartz Africa story of Nigerian ex-Oil Minister Mrs. Alison Diezani-Madueke, and "businessmen" Kola Aluko and Jide Omokore. 

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