Nigeria nearing ‘a failed state’

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said democratic institutions had failed to adequately represent Nigerians and uphold the rule of law.

The Nigerian Bar Association chief also expressed doubts over the government's commitment to tackling corruption.

When President Umaru Yar'Adua was elected in 2007, he pledged zero tolerance for corruption.

"The NBA has serious doubts concerning the commitment of government in combating the menace of corruption. There are outstanding issues of corrupt practices in government circles," Nigeria's This Day newspaper quoted Mr Akeredolu as saying.

As an example, he said, Nigerians were still waiting to hear the outcome of an investigation into the Halliburton scandal.

The US construction firm has admitted paying bribes to top officials between 1994 and 2004. …