NIGERIAN former anti-corruption official Nuhu Ribadu and World Bank vice-president (integrity) Leonard F. McCarthy of South Africa received the Anti-Corruption Lifetime/Outstanding Achievement Award at the Sheikh Tamim Hamad Al-Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award ceremony in Putrajaya today.

They received the award from Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Hamad Al-Thani and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.

It is the first time Malaysia is hosting the ceremony, held in conjunction with the emir’s three-day working visit.

The anti-corruption award aims to promote the importance of tackling graft worldwide and encourage efforts under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

Other recipients are Dr Robtel Neajai Pailey of Liberia and Professor Jason Sharman of the UK for Anti-Corruption Academic Research and Education; Accountability Lab of the US and Fernanda Angelica Flores Aguirre of Mexico (Anti-Corruption Youth Creativity and Engagement Award); and, PNG Phones Against Corruption of Papua New Guinea and Dr Roger Oppong Koranteng of Ghana (Anti-Corruption Innovation).

Apart from the awards, in the shape of an open hand, the recipients also received certificates.

It was reported that Ribadu, who is former chairman of the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, had “taken” US$15 million (RM60 million) offered to him, only to turn in the money as evidence against the guilty parties.

“When you fight corruption, it fights back. I’ve lost many friends in the fight against corruption,” he said. – Bernama, December 7, 2018.