Nigeria's President Promises Trial Of Treasury Looters To Begin Soon...

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has promised that the prosecution of those accused of looting the country's treasury will commence shortly. He made this statement at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly. Mr Buhari won the elections held in March on the back of his anti-corruption stance.
While I admire the president's determination to tackle the scourge of corruption, it is most unfortunate that the evils of religion remain untouchable. Religion may not have pushed Nigeria into its present quagmire, but it has most certainly accelerated the process, especially in the last few decades which have seen the rise of pentecostalism in the country.

Those who have looted the treasury should definitely feel the full weight of the law if they are found guilty, but what about the preachers, televangelists and other religious leaders that are supported with these stolen monies? Nobody wants to confront that particular elephant in the room. Chris Oyakhilome, one of Nigeria's most flamboyant pastors and a Benny Hinn copycat, infamously refused to return monies and gifts given to him by a congregant who was shown to have stolen large sums from his employee. Former president Jonathan was known to be very close to another pastor and current president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ayo Oritsejafor, whose recent purchase of a private was due to his closeness to the former president.

These are just examples of how these charlatans aid and abet the looting of public funds by government officials, but nobody bats an eyelid, lest they be labelled anti-religious. Buhari's anti-corruption war will not be complete if he fails to also prosecute the pastors and other religious leaders who steal Nigeria blind in conjunction with politicians and civil servants. If only wishes were horses...