NBA noted that corruption thrives because proceeds of the crime from guilty and convicted corrupt persons are not usually recover and forfeited to government.
This was contained in a 11-point communique issued at the end of her 2016 law week in Kaduna.
The communique signed by the Kaduna State Branch Chairman of NBA, Sherrif Ndasule said the legal profession must contribute its quota by working hard to change the mindset of the Nigerian citizenry and re -engineering their perceptions of the concept of corruption and instill in children core moral values.
The Bar also called for the training and retraining of judges and lawyers to broaden and update their appreciation of corruption related issues in the legal profession.
It expressed its support for plea bargaining as a useful tool in the fight against corruption, adding that society would benefit as it will allow for transparency in running government at all levels.
In the same vein, the communique called on the government to equally improve the capacity of the various law enforcement agencies in the area of investigation of corruption cases.
Part of the communique reads; “There is need for training and retraining of our judges and lawyers to broaden and update their appreciation of corruption related issues in the legal profession.
“Corruption thrives because we do not recover the proceeds of the crime of corruption from the guilty and convicted corrupt persons; our laws must be reviewed to include compulsory forfeiture of illicit wealth of convicted corrupt persons.
“Plea bargaining is a useful tool in the fight against corruption. The society will benefit as it will allow for forfeiture of properties acquired with illicit wealth for transparent use by the government of the day.
“Lawyers must adhere to the code of ethics of their profession in the discharge of our duty to their clients and government must provide adequate machinery to strengthen and aid justice delivery system.
“The NBA should as a matter of urgency at the national and branch levels set up and strengthen mechanisms involving courage individuals to monitor and fight corruption in our courts and legal profession in general as well as follow up reported cases to ensure corrupt individuals whether from thebar or bench are brought to book.”
The Bar association, while observing that corruption was endemic, stressed that Nigerians must take very pragmatic and decisive steps against the scourge to reduce it to the barest minimum, otherwise it will kill the nation.
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