Some Lagos-based clerics have demanded that repented public fund-looters give the loots to charity to atone for their sins and to be socially reintegrated into society.

The clerics told reporters in Lagos that an acceptable expression of remorse over one’s actions that caused pain to the public should be that which would heal the pain caused.

Speaking on restitution, the spokesperson, Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, Anthony Godonuno, said that though people abused positions to the detriment of others, society should forgive such people who wish to show regret for their acts.

He said such persons needed to listen and read the scriptures to compel them to atone for their past misdeeds.

“The acceptable way for them is that they should offer everything to the homeless, less privileged and physically challenged people in the society.

“Also, make large contributions to community infrastructure development,” he said.

The priest described public fund looting by officials as an infraction which had deformed most African societies, saying that such acts had made people destitute.

The chief imam of Falomo Mosque Lagos, Abdul-Akeem Yusuf, said people should be encouraged to make restitution to discourage corruption and bad blood in society.

Mr Abdul-Akeem, who condemned public fund stealing, said that using legal means to check the practice had not paid off. He said social, moral and religious means should be adopted to end corruption.

Also speaking, the Pastor Obed Ezeonye of the Excellent Glory Christian Centre, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, said God accepts repentance.

“It is a systemic problem. If the system is restructured, I tell you, many people will be willing to restitute it. But until then, not everybody that wants to do that will do it.

“But it will be healthy for the society,” Mr Ezeonye said.

(NAN)