Elder statesman and a former Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other-related offences Commission, ICPC, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan, the 36 state Governors, other political office holders and traditional rulers to lead by example to enable the war against corruption become effective.

The former ICPC boss said this at the 46th annual conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers on Tuesday, in Ilori, Kwara State.

He observed that corruption was worsening in the country due to lack of political will by the government the is supposed to curb it.

He stated that there would be no development in a society that is taken over by corruption and corrupt leaders.

Akanbi said, “The task of fighting corruption and of developing the nation is the responsibility of all Nigerians, but the greater burden lies on the nation’s leadership.

“Therefore, let the President, Governors, political leaders, politicians, top civil/public servants, our Emirs, Obas and Obis lead by example and be in the vanguard of the struggle to eliminate corruption or reduce it to tolerable level.”

Akanbi stressed that the political leadership was condoning corruption, adding that it was very worrisome that many indicted and accused former Governors, Ministers and party officials still walk freely in the country with their loots intact.

The ex-ICPC boss who once served as President of the Court of Appeal, said it was worrisome that the circle of corruption was becoming wider. He added that those charged with the task of fighting corruption were not finding it easy to carry out their duties.

He said, “Today, as never before, the level of criminal activities in our country is on the ascendency. Bare-faced looting of public treasury, fuel subsidy and pension scams, money laundering, economic crimes of all sorts, oil bunkering, kidnapping, cold-blooded murder and massacre as well as grand and petty corruption are now common occurrences. They are committed with recklessness and impunity.

“The result is that our nation, which should have been the pride of the black race, has been reduced to a pariah nation and in a state of utter helplessness. The security of life and property can no longer be guaranteed. We are on the precipice of the predicted failed state.

“It is no longer news to say that Nigeria has sunk into the labyrinth of corruption or that it has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation.”

“The most unfortunate development is that this heinous crime is being condoned by those who wield political power and authority. Or how else does one explain the cases of some former governors who have been charged to court for corruption and or looting of the public treasury, shamelessly still sitting in the hallowed hall of the National Assembly taking part in debates and discussions in the course of the proceedings of the house.

“And what tenable reason can be given for a man who had admitted taking bribe money on the pretext that he intended to use it as exhibit, continue to participate in the debates in the house while a criminal case of corruption is pending against him in court?”

According to him, because of the pervading impact of corruption, mediocre, incompetent and corrupt officials, rather than resourceful, efficient and competent hands, have found their ways into the corridors of power.

“The end result is that the nation begins to drift and slide dangerously down the slippery road of economic ruination. In the process, there is a general desecration of societal and normative values, low level performance in both socio-economic and technological developments and ultimately a petrifying decadence, the stench of which often puts off or prevent other nations, with a record of transparency and probity from wanting to interact or do business with a corrupt nation,” Akanbi said.