A famous Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana, has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption strategy, stating that former President Goodluck Jonathan fought the war against corruption in a more civilised way compared to the current administration.

In a Channels Television programme, which was monitored by CEOAfrica, Mr Falana shared his opinion on the efforts of Buhari-led administration to tackle corruption and recover looted funds.

While comparing the previous and the present administration, he said: “One is rather flabbergasted by some of the developments going on. Even President Jonathan fought corruption in his own way.”

“For instance, last year when the government had to withdraw the charges against Mohammed Abacha after 14 years… The withdrawal was occasioned by the fact that $970 million from the Abacha loot had been recovered by Jonathan’s government..”

“Every government in Nigeria investigated the previous government. For the past 16 years the PDP government and the Abdulsalami Abubakar Jaunder recovered about 3.2 billion from the Abacha loot. It is the most successful loot recovery in the world. President Goodluck Jonathan did so much in the fight against corruption including the sack of three of his ministers for alleged graft.”

“People have not been fair to the previous government, and President Jonathan has made the point – have nothing to fear.”

Falana said that every administration both military and civilian had to an extent fought corruption, giving instances of their efforts.

The Lagos lawyer said: “Pursuant to section 15 of the Constitution. Every government in Nigeria is mandatorily required to fight corruption. The provision is to the fact that the Nigerian state shall abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power,” he said.