Panama Leaks: Sweden considers stiffer laws as Nigeria Maintains Silence

Swedish government has responded after a top bank got listed in the Panama paper leak scandal for allegedly having helped clients hide their wealth in offshore accounts with a view to evading taxes.

According to Bolund, Sweden’s minister for financial markets, says he is “upset” by the revelations, which have now prompted the ruling administration to consider tightening its laws to prevent such practices.

The government needs to consider “whether the laws we have are sufficient or whether legal changes are needed,” he said in an interview on Thursday. Sweden’s Financial Supervisory Authority and Tax Agency are already investigating the allegations. “That means that we can go ahead and investigate whether there have been cases where the law hasn’t been followed,” Bolund said.

Since the revelation from the Panama paper leaks which have thus far involved top politicians and influential businessmen in many countries like USA, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Nigeria and many others.

Some of the affected countries have reacted fiercely to the scandal which saw its first casualty, the Iceland PM resigning earlier this week.

Here in Nigeria, top shots such as Senate President Alh. Bukola Saraki has been named in the scandal. Others are former Senate President David mark, former Delta Governor who is also serving jail term in UK James Ibori, business mogul Aliko Dangote ant his brother Dantata, as well as TY danjuma.

While most countries are reacting fiercely against affected persons, we are yet to receive an official statement from the federal government or any court of competent jurisdiction. It is worrisome considering the fact that as a global scandal, how this is handled by Nigeria is important towards our diplomacy.

It is also surprising that the Nigerian people feel less concerned about who are involved, this may not reflect well on the integrity of Nigeria as a nation if the silence is maintained longer than necessary.