The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji LAI MOHAMMED has dismissed criticism against his revelation that some fifty-five Nigerians collectively stole around one point three trillion Naira from 2006 to 2013.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji LAI MOHAMMED has dismissed criticism against his revelation that some fifty-five Nigerians collectively stole around one point three trillion Naira from 2006 to 2013.Some critics had described the revelation as concoction by the Federal Government to drive propaganda, but the Information Minister has said details are available for anyone who wishes to crosscheck.LAI MOHAMMED made the clarification while addressing a delegation from the Leadership Hausa newspaper in Abuja as part of his efforts to seek the support of the media in the fight against corruption.MOHAMMED said checks at the courts and the anti-corruption agencies would reveal the details of the cases, the names of those involved and the amount of money they allegedly stole.The Information Minister said in a normal clime, the huge amount of funds allegedly stolen by a few individuals could have elicited public outrage, but here in Nigeria, such revelations were reduced to politicking.The Minister said the consequences of corruption have manifested in the dearth of infrastructure, poor social service delivery, as well as inequality and poverty.He equally disagreed with the people calling on President MUHAMMADU BUHARI to soft-pedal in the fight against corruption.
LAI MOHAMMED said it amounts to corruption fighting back for individuals to advise the President to pardon those who embezzled public funds in the past.