- Says Corruption Fight Needs International Law Muscle
SEASONED diplomat and former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, has underscored the importance of capacity development on international law and diplomacy as a tool to blocking revenue leakages and tacking corruption risks.
He made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering his goodwill message at the 9th Annual Conference of the International Law Association (Nigerian Branch) held at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
Convened under the theme “Mitigating Economic and Financial Crime Risks in A Shifting Global Order: The Role of International Law”, the conference gathered senior diplomats, international experts and practitioners from Nigeria and beyond, to discuss the dynamic role of international law in fostering effective risk mitigation and regulatory enforcement on tax evasion, illicit financial flows, corruption and money laundering, to advance sustainable development.
In his remarks, the former Permanent Secretary noted that addressing revenue leakages and corruption in key economic sectors will require enhanced capacity development and training on latest international law instruments and approaches for addressing financial malpractices, contract opacity, revenue leakages and operational inefficiencies, all of which have significantly undermined national development efforts.
He noted that more knowledge exchange and public dialogue such as this year’s international law conference could mark the beginning of a new era of corporate integrity, ethical leadership and systemic accountability.
Amb. Ella expressed profound appreciation to NILDS and ILA Nigeria for their innovation and unwavering commitment to fostering capacity development in this important area.
He also charged the participants to demonstrate strong commitment to integrity and transparency by immersing themselves fully in the opportunities provided by the conference.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of the International Law Association, Nigeria, who is also Chairperson of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, Professor Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, noted that “Tax evasion, illicit financial flows (IFFs), corruption, and money laundering are multificated threats to sustainable development that require innovative legal solutions.
“Without tax, government cannot build roads, equip hospitals or support research. Tax evasion and other IFFs are therefore not only development problems but, indeed, human rights problems. This year’s conference hopes to equip participants with latest information and international best practices in this regard.” he concluded.
The conference featured keynote lectures from the Former Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (2012-2021) and currently High Commissioner of the Republic of The Gambia to the United Kingdom, H.E. Dr. Fatou Bensouda; H.E. Edward Harris, Director General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA); Professor Bolaji Owasonoye, SAN, OFR, Former Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and Coordinating Director, Proceeds of Crime Management and Illicit Financial Flows Directorate, Nigeria Revenue Services; and Mohamed M. Malick, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria amongst other speakers.
