Western Countries More Corrupt Than Nigeria – Falana

Renowned Nigerian lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) does not agree to the common believe by the Nigerian government that corruption is responsible for the country’s underdevelopment.

Falana’s comments come days after the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu said Nigeria had yet to fully reach its potential due to corruption.

The EFCC boss made the submission during the 20th Anniversary Public Lecture and Award Ceremony of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja.

But the senior lawyer, in an interview with Punch, said every capitalist society like Nigeria is built on corruption, fraud and exploitation, and that is why developed countries are much more corrupt.

“With respect, I totally disagree with such reductionist conclusion that says corruption is the root cause of the nation’s under-development,” he said.

“To the best of my knowledge, every capitalist society is built on corruption, fraud and exploitation. Western countries are much more corrupt than African countries.

”Hence, all the funds looted from the treasuries of other nations are kept in the vaults of the banks in the West.

“But out of sheer hypocrisy, the leaders and the media in western countries say that we are corrupt and our rulers swallow (that) hook, line and sinker.

“For two and half years, President Buhari has been begging the West to repatriate our stolen wealth. In spite of promises (made by the West), not a single dime has been recovered and repatriated.”