CORRUPTION ON THE DEFENSIVE : Alamieyeseigha: Transparency International (TI) Asks Jonathan to Reverse State Pardon

The global anti-corruption organization which President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan once “wrongly” quoted in favor of his administration, Transparency International (TI), has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to rescind the pardon granted to the former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was convicted for money laundering and other serious corruption offences in 2007.
Transparency International’s Manager for Media and Public Relations, Chris Sanders, through a press statement criticised the decision, which may qualify Alamieyeseigha to stand for public office again.
According to the vice-chair of Transparency International, Akere Muna, “This decision undermines anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria and encourages impunity. If the government is serious about uprooting public corruption, sanctions against those who betray the public trust should be strengthened, not relaxed… President Jonathan should show that he is committed to fighting corruption and endorse the efforts of law enforcement agencies to end impunity for corrupt officials.”
One of the highlight of the organisation’s disposition to the pardon is the fact that “Nigeria was ranked 139 out of 174 countries in the 2012 Corruptions Perceptions Index.