A former Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof Abhulimen Anao, has said professional practice in the country is under threat due to the prevalence of corruption.

He said although Nigeria was not the only country where corruption posed ethical problems, what distinguished other countries from Nigeria was their ability to investigate, apprehend, prosecute and punish offenders appropriately.

He spoke in Lagos on Friday at the investiture of the President of the Association of Professional Bodies in Nigeria, Mr. Gabriel Fasoto, where he expressed displeasure at the judicial system which had failed to punish errant citizens.

Recalling the cases of Halliburton and Siemens companies, in which Nigerian officials were offered huge bribes in order to secure contracts, he said, “While the home countries of these companies sanctioned their companies’ officials for their unethical acts, the Nigerian government left the collaborating Nigerian officials who demanded and received the bribes, despite the fact the government was offered all the facts needed to prosecute the culprits.”

Anao suggested that the judicial system, which he noted was defective in dealing with all ethical issues, be overhauled to allow for fairness, equity and impartiality.

Citing examples of unethical practices among Nigerian professionals, the former VC said, ”Public contracts are often cornered by a few persons who have the right connections, or who are mere fronts for officials awarding the contracts; awarding officials sometimes use the proposal submitted by one professional to award a contract to another person who is often less qualified; rules governing the public purchase or awards of contracts are often bypassed; under the guise of bureaucracy, permits and licences are withheld, and jobs are performed haphazardly or not executed at all.”

However, Anao expressed optimism that a high level of ethical conduct would be established if professional institutes could adopt internal disciplinary measures of a firm like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria against their errant members.

“I wish to emphasise that Nigerian professionals can successfully surmount the ethical dilemma which they face in the practice of their professions, as a result of the prevailing suffocating corrupt environment,” Anao added.

In his acceptance speech, the president said with the high rate of corruption in the country, it was necessary for professionals to imbibe ethical standard that would differentiate them from an average Nigerian.

Fasoto said, “The association will continue to engage the government on the utilisation of skills, knowledge and expertise of Nigerian professionals in the execution of projects and improve on compliance with the local content requirements as provided by the law.”