The pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi has suggested the convocation of an all-Participatory National Conference to address myriad of problems facing Nigeria.

Justice Akanbi, made the call at his 'African Peoples' Hall, Ilorin Kwara State, during the maiden edition of the 'Media Parliament', a personality interview programme of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), organised to mark the Jurist's 80th birthday.

He explained that such Participatory National Conference would allow professionals from different fields, politicians and other relevant stakeholders to address Nigeria's multi-faced problems rather than only the political issues.

Political will over corruption
Justice Akanbi, a one-time President of the Court of Appeal stressed the need imperatives of unity and sincere leadership devoid of bigotry.

Speaking on the effectiveness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and ICPC, Justice Akanbi called on the Nigerian Government to develop the political will to fight corruption, as obtained in Malaysia, Singapore and Botswana.

He noted that the anti-graft bodies in those countries work independently and enjoy non-interference in their activities.  He said the idea whereby Nigerians lobby to be heads of such bodies with the intention of amassing wealth at the detriment of discharging their duties should be shunned.

"Whoever wants to head the EFCC or ICPC must not be a person looking for money, must not be a person afraid of losing the job or lobby to get the job" the Jurist explained.

On the commercialisation of the Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Justice Akanbi faults the development and urged the NBA Executives to reduce the conference fee to allow younger lawyers participate in the Association's activities.

"When the fee is high and the younger ones could not have the opportunity of learning at the Conferences, you are doing a disservice to the Bar" Justice Akanbi declared.

The Jurist kicked against the establishment of State Police, stressing that what the present Police Force and other security agencies needed was proper funding and adequate training.