An Independent Research carried out by the Bayero University BUK, has revealed that high profile corrupt practices are mostly condoned at churches and mosques across the federation.

The research, conducted by the Mumbayya House Anti Corruption Project of BUK in collaboration with the Macarthur Foundation, found that 70 percent of Nigerians pointed accusing fingers at the nation’s legislature, judiciary and executive arms of government as the most corrupt entities.

Speaking while presenting their second-quarter corruption indices, the Mambayya House Anti Corruption Project Coordinators said citizens believe that corruption is endemic today in the country.

Professor Ismaila M. Zango Project Director Mumbayya House, alongside Professor Moses T. Aluaigba, said the findings showed that Pastors and Imams are amongst the highly placed corrupt persons in the country.

The Anti Corruption office of the Mumbayya House said they engaged clerics at both Churches and Mosques during the research.

He said 70 percent of Nigerians accused the churches and mosques of alleged misappropriation of public funds, while another survey showed that Pastors and Imams were at the centre of these acts.

“In order to achieve reductions and create awareness against Endemic Corrupt Practices in Nigeria, we engaged Civil Society Organizations, Faith-Based Organizations, the Media, Community Based Organizations, Students Associations and Government Agencies as the Voice Actors of Behavioral Change for Citizens”.

Professor Ismaila said the Project also adopted interfaith and community-based approaches to change the nonchalant attitude of Nigerians and encourage them to imbibe a culture of close monitoring of their entitlements with regards to public delivery and the use of redress mechanisms in case of defaulting services.