Nigeria- Some prominent lawyers in Lagos on Thursday have kicked against a bill seeking to allow public officers operate foreign bank accounts.

According to report, the lawyers said that it would further encourage corruption in the country.

It would be recalled that the bill last Wednesday passed the second reading at the House of Representatives.

Under the extant Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 2004, it is criminal for a public officer to operate a bank account outside Nigeria.

The bill seeks to amend the law “so as to make the leave of the Bureau necessary for a public officer to maintain or operate a bank account outside Nigeria.”

While commenting on the bill, Mr Onyekachi Ubani, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, said it would negate the fight against corruption.

“This bill cannot be a good measure in fighting corruption.

“Some public officers will now be able to steal and stash the money in foreign accounts if it is passed into law,” Ubani said.

He said the lawmakers should focus on bills that were of benefit to ordinary Nigerians to justify the mandate given to them.

A human rights lawyer, Mr Bamidele Aturu, also said that it would send a wrong signal to the international community about the nation’s seriousness in tackling corruption.

Aturu said it would also weaken Nigerian banks because more money would now be transferred outside the country by public office holders.