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  • Refocusing anti-graft battle

    Refocusing anti-graft battle

    The anti-corruption fight is a cardinal priority of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines how the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, is intensifying the war against graft in high places.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the leadership of Olanipekun Olukoyede is bringing new vision and impetus into the battle against sleaze. In a country where corruption is always fighting back, the agency believes that determination is required in sustaining the crusade.

    Much is expected from the lawyer, regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence, who had served the commission as Chief of Staff to the Chairman (2016-2018) and Secretary to the Commission (2018-2023).

    Addressing officers of the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC in November, last year, Olukoyede, who took over from Abdulrasheed Bawa, spoke about his vision and target. He said:  “There is need to redirect our focus towards what we were set up to do in Nigeria, which is to drive economic development. We will tilt our focus towards that area. We will work to drive economic development, create wealth and employment.” Since charity begins at home, he charged the officers and men to declare their assets. Leading by example, Olukoyede declared his assets.

    The fight against corruption is not new. It has been on for decades. How to curb theft and graft has been a major concern from the sixties. It was a major reason the First and Second republics crumbled like cookies. But corruption has lingered till today for obvious reasons. The cankerworm would not have survived, if previous governments had tackled it with all seriousness and with appropriate strategies.

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    The starting point under Olukoyede was the reform of the anti-graft body to purge it of the peculiar societal vices. The revelation by the chairman was mind-boggling. In lamentation, Olukoyede, who visited President Bola Tinubu in Aso Villa, Abuja, disclosed that EFCC investigators were prone to gratification and bribery, thereby casting doubt on their capacity for thoroughness, probity and efficiency. It is ironic. But with that background knowledge, Olukoyede kicked off the battle from the agency.

    The reasons are not far-fetched. A bribe taker is not less vicious and dubious than a giver because they are both enveloped by greed. It is a paradox, an anathema. If those saddled with the investigation of financial crimes are fraudulent, the process and the outcome are laced with lies, prevarications, compromise, and hypocrisy.

    Olukoyede has not spared the rod to save dishonest investigators who have failed the test of integrity. He has intensified efforts to fish them out the culprits and sent them packing, thereby preventing the few bad eggs from damaging the time-tested reputation of the agency beyond panel-beating. The result is that bribe-taking investigators are not permitted to act as willing tools for frustrating investigations.

    Also, the commission has asserted its independence. It not strictly tied to the apron strings of the Federal Attorney-General. Nigerians, particularly opposition elements, do not perceive it as an outfit of oppression and witch-hunting in the hands of the power that be.

    In trying to maintain a clean break from the past, Olukoyede has rekindled public confidence.

    Corruption is the bane of development in Nigeria. It has taken its tolls on the various sectors; it permeates all strata of society and made Nigeria a laughing stock in the comity of nations. Ironically, the proceeds of corruption are lodged in bank accounts in the Western countries.

    According to observers, corruption manifests in various ways. From the culture of 10 per cent bribes in the sixties, successive governments have become big contracts for grabs. Contracts are awarded to undeserving, shadow companies that cannot be traced in the past. Perpetrators later graduated into outright embezzlement, money laundering, a guarantee of salaries for ghost workers, and pension fraud.

    In high places, allegations of forex abuse, round-tripping and dubious acquisition of banks are still being investigated.

    More damaging is the growing humanitarian fraud. It was claimed that the school feeding programme was more effective during holidays when pupils were in their parents’ homes.

    Also, reports of police corruption stare the public in the face. Some policemen openly ask for bribes on highways. They aid and abet crime, thereby sending their victims into agony.

    In some states, governance has become business as usual, a peculiar tea party. Former governors, ministers, and top government functionaries are answering charges in court many years after leaving office. They are in a vantage position to use looted funds to undermine investigation, prosecution, and the entire judicial process. Trials of suspects last a decade and a re-trial is ordered. The prosecutor is fatigued. The case is abandoned. It pales into a waste of time, energy, and public resources.

    A right activist, Lanre Suraj said the key driver of corruption is greed. The corollary is kleptocracy, undescoring the collapse of morality, growing  indiscipline and the motivation for sabotage and subversion by custodian of public resources.

    Many are those accumulating money for offspring who would most likely mismanage the stolen wealth in the future. Also, the children of the poor who bear the brunt of corruption are now taking their pounds of flesh as troublers of the same society. Their activities include armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping, and ritual murders. The corrupt gangs are not insulated from the threats public order and peace.

    There is a correlation between corruption and underdevelopment, particularly in Africa. As funds are diverted, project implementation suffers. It is a huge cost to welfare.

    The repercussions are also grave. After their reckless looting, the leaders later forfeit blissful retirement and begin to attend courts, some of them at the twilight of life. Lack of contentment made them to steal while in office. In their old age, they do not have peace of mind. Their wealth becomes vanity. Those who have passed on left behind a legacy their children cannot be proud of.

    “Is a good name not better than wealth acquired in a dubious way at the expense of society?” asked Suraj.

    If looted funds are still being recovered from a deceased military Head of State to the tune of billions, almost 30 years after his demise, it is an indication of how soldiers of fortune have silently ruined Nigeria.

    A novel form of corruption between 2003 and 2011 was election rigging, including alteration of results and declaration of losers as winners. The sanctity of the ballot box was violated. The scenario was a prelude to legitimacy crises in some states in the Southwest, the old Midwest, and the Southeast.

    The impact of corruption on the image of the country is also serious. Foreign investors are wary of corrupt countries, which they perceive as a threat to business. In their opinion, an atmosphere devoid of bribery, misappropriation, or embezzlement contributes to the ease of doing business.

    Many years after the setting up of the EFCC and Indepent Corrupt Practices and OtherRelated Offences Commission(ICPC), corruption has continued to grow in leaps and bounds. Yet, observers have contended that the situation would have been worse without the anti-graft agencies.

    Beneficiaries of corruption are eager to jump at the opportunity provided by plea bargaining, which makes a thief who has stolen billions to redeem himself in court by paying pittance as fine, thereby escaping jail to continue to enjoy his loot in freedom.

    According to a report titled: ‘Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends,’ by  the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), government officials received N721 billion bribe in 2023. The figure amounted to about 0.35 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

    The report which was based on a survey conducted with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, stated that the average cash received by public office holders last year was N8,284, an increase from an average of N5,754 in 2019.

    The report added: “According to the 2023 survey, the average cash bribe paid was 8,284 Nigerian Naira.

    “While the nominal average cash bribe size increased since 2019 (from NGN 5,754), this does not account for inflation. The inflation-adjusted average cash bribe in 2023 was 29 per cent smaller than in 2019 in terms of what could be bought with the money.

    “Overall, it is estimated that a total of roughly N721 billion (US$1.26 billion) was paid in cash bribes to public officials in Nigeria in 2023, corresponding to 0.35 per cent of the entire Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria.”

    To Olukoyede, corruption is the next deadliest affliction tormenting humanity, apart from tertorism.

    He lamented that most of the former governors being prosecuted today were those who could not pay minimum wage. To expose more corrupt officials, he urged Nigerians to embrace whistleblowing, adding that it should be backed by consistent commitment.

    The EFCC chairman elaborated on his anti-corruption crusade at the stakeholders’ meeting held at the Unity Fountain in Abuja to commemorate this year’s African Anti-Corruption Day.

    The highlight of the event was the ‘Road Walk’ by employees of the EFCC and other stakeholders in the anti-corruption corridor. Olukoyede led the walk from the Wuse Two  Zonal Office of the commission, through the streets of Maitama, before terminating at the Unity Fountain.

    Speakers at meeting also included  the Representative of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshal Etim Markus, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Director-General, Controller of Nigerian Correctional Service,  and Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    Painting an awful picture of gloom, he said urgent and concerted steps should be taken to kill corruption, adding: “Aside terrorism, corruption ranks as the next deadliest affliction of humanity in every region of the world.”

    To stem the tide, the EFCC chairman said the battle should be embraced  by all Nigerians as a collective responsibility. Olukoyede emphasised that the battle cannot be won through lip service, emotional outburst or mere mob campaigns.

    He stressed: “There is need for commitment, passion, consistence and credibility of intelligence.  Every whistle blown must point towards truth and evidential proofs.”

    The chairman said in view of the danger and threat to existence which corruption represents, it is imperative that individuals, communities and corporate bodies should join hands to tackle it frontally. He emphasised that  the fight against corruption required absolute commitment to integrity and unfaltering focus.

    Olukoyede enjoined the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and civil society organisations to be part of the anti-graft war, saying that most of the governors being prosecuted today were those who denied workers their reward for labour.

    Many stakeholders agreed that a successful battle against corruption can only be waged through joint efforts. NLC President Joe Ajearo said  the union will fully support the EFCC in its fight.

    The Chairperson,  Conference of Civil Society and Coordinator Civil Military Co-operation (CIMCO), Adams Otakwu, commended the agency for galvanizing Nigerians to stand against the menace.

    He said: “It may interest us to know that upon all the threats to national security, inclusive of terrorism, insurgency, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, the most insidious of them is corruption and that is why the fight against corruption must be tackled head on.”

    Apart from the challenges of the economy and security, many are of the view that President Bola Tinubu has to reinvigorate the anti-graft war in the national interest. His administration has promised Nigerians many developmental and poverty-reducing programmes. To analysts, the recoved looted public funds can be deployed to the implementation people-oriented programmes without recourse to borrowing.

    Also, security experts believe that instead of looking forward to the arrest of corrupt officials, institutional frameworks for preventing sleaze should be strengthened in the public service.  Loopholes should be effectively plugged, those who have stolen should not be allowed to go scot-free to mock Nigeria and what has been taken illegally should be retrieved from them.

    Physical contact with cash should be discouraged in favour of automated processes and systems.

    The step taken by the President in suspending his Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Beta Edu, over allegations of corruption is laudable. The anti-corruption battle should not be a respecter of persons, big or small. It would serve as a deterrent to others to be more careful and imbibe the right values. Ministers, special advisers, other aides, and top civil servants are likely to adjust to the body language of the President, particularly his inclination towards tough measures against reckless financial activities.

    Speedy prosecution of suspects in special courts or tribunals, and adequate punitive measures, including recovery of the looted funds, long jail terms, and a ban from politics, may be more effective. But, media tral of suspects should be discouraged. The Commission should uphold the core values of the EFCC, which include integrity, courage and professionalism.

    There is a need to reduce corruption to the barest minimum because national survival and global reputation rest squarely on how far the country can go in the fight against graft.

    Between October 2023, when Olukoyede was confirmed, and January this year, EFCC has recovered N70, 556,658,370.5. In a document titled: ‘Operations and Recoveries’, the recovery is as follows:  N60,969,047,634.25, $10,522,778.57, £150,002.10, 4,119.90 Euros; bringing it to N70,5 billion within the first 100 days.

    Within the same period, 3, 325 petitions were received, and 2,657 accepted;  747 persons were convicted for money laundering and internet fraud.

    Olukoyede said there would be no hiding place for economic saboteurs. Remarkably, EFCC has tried to crack down on businesses and others transacting in dollars. The chairman had also taken his sensitisation and enlightenment programmes to schools, urging students to shun cyber crimes.

    A commentator, Ayodeji Seriki, believes Olukoyede will succeed, if he does not deviate from his vision and mission.

    He said: “The three focal areas are: focus on the mandate of the EFCC, pursuit of transparency and accountability and building the image of Nigeria.

    To achieve these, he has dwelt on the need for collective responsibility, greater emphasis on preventive frameworks against graft and premium attention on transactional credits.”

  • President says no going back on anti-graft battle

    There will be no slowing down on the anti-corruption battle, President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday.

    The President’s assurance ended insinuations in some quarters that he will change and will no longer work for the masses if given another mandate on February 16..

    Buhari promised not to change during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi, Benue State. He pledged to remain steadfast and focused.

    Listing his administration’s achievements in the past three and half years, the President said: “I assure you, I am not going to change. I am going to be consistent. I will remain steadfast. Anybody who abuses trust will be exposed and will be dispossessed.

    “I am convinced that you believe in what we are doing and that you stand to support us even further. When I came for your vote in 2015, I promised three fundamental issues based on our party manifesto –  security, economy and fighting corruption.

    “We will do roads, rail lines and provide electricity with monies recovered from looters,” he added

    He noted that the food security attained by the government under his watch had drastically reduced food importation.

    The President noted that many of those seeking white-collar jobs had embraced farming without regrets. He urged others to do the same.

    The President also urged the Benue people to vote for APC candidates.

    APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole said that governors have the responsibility to ensure peace and security in their states, noting that security is not on the exclusive list.

    He also pointed out that peace and unity cannot be achieved from the barrel of guns.

    Oshiomhole said that a community is in danger if the leader is dishonest or lies, adding, “but with President Buhari, Nigeria is safe.”

    According to him, the APC candidate in the state, Emmanuel Jime, will do well to follow the footsteps of Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong in handling herders and farmers crisis, when elected.

    “We don’t want leaders that will blame others for their failures,” he said

    Stressing that President Buhari has done well by giving out bailouts to state governments, he said some governors diverted the money and refused to pay salaries and turned round to whip up sentiments.

    The former Edo State governor said: “I have come with a message of hope that with Jime as governor, salaries will be paid in Benue State as at when due.”

    He said that Nigeria had stopped importing rice, and the billions saved in importing expired rice from India and Malaysia, are now in the hands of local rice farmers.

    Oshiomhole pointed out that anybody supporting importation of food is anti-Benue since the state is “the food basket of the nation”.

    He also urged the people to reject any leader who will sell the nation’s assets.

    According to him, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will use the economy to favour his friends.

    To this end, he said Nigeria could not return to second hand.

    He said nobody had the right to bear firearms apart from the authorised security agencies.

    According to him, governors should also not be allowed to misuse police personnel in their states.

    The APC National Campaign Council Vice Chairman (North), Senator George Akume, recalled that President Buhari on assumption of office in 2015 made a covenant with the people to tackle three things, economy, security and corruption – which he has done very well.

    Many Nigerians, he noted, are now running away from lodging their money in banks because of the fear of Buhari.

    Said Akume: “Buhari is one of the few Nigerians not used to flamboyant lifestyle, pointing out that he had no oil well and personal aircraft.

    He said there was a governor in one of the North central states who is 100 times richer than President Buhari with wealth gathered within three and half years in government.

    Stressing that Buhari has managed the economy very well, Akume said that Buhari’s landmark project is impacting positively on the lives of the people.

    He said: “Mr President, you promised to provide infrastructure, that is why we call you Mr. Infrastructure, and it’s all over the country for people to see. You are a doer and not a talker. Your projects are measurable.”

    Confirming the people’s love for the President, Akume said that the Benue people had no problem with herdsmen while he was at the helm of affairs for eight years.

    He, therefore, urged the leaders not to hide their incompetence behind the crisis.

    Giving a verdict of how the voting will go in the state during the presidential election, Akume said that 70 per cent will go to President Buhari while Atiku will get 30 percent.

    He also urged the President to ignore any publication because they know how they were procured.

    Maintaining that there are local despots who do not respect court orders in the state, the former governor said that President Buhari respects the rule of law, especially by not interfering in the INEC and court judgement on APC governorship candidate in Zamfara State.

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong said his state initially was faced the type of crisis Benue was going through until he brought everyone together for dialogue.

    He also pointed out that some people hid under the guise of a crisis when the state was not paying salaries.

    Urging the people of Benue State to vote for Buhari and the governorship candidate of the APC, he assured that they will deliver 90 per cent in Plateau and 80 per cent in Benue.

    The Chairman of the Benue State chapter of the APC, Abba Yaro, assured that the state would vote President Buhari and the governorship candidate.

    The party’s flag was handed over to the APC governorship candidate and senatorial and House of Representatives candidates.

    The President raised the hands of Jime and other candidates at the ceremony.

    The Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe and other top government officials attended the rally.

  • Youths key to winning anti-graft battle, says Buhari

    YOUTHS’ involvement is critical to winning the anti-graft battle on the continent, President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday in his remarks at the launch of the 2018 Africa Youth Congress Against Corruption (AYCAC).

    President Buhari, who was nominated in January as the African Union anti-corruption champion, urged the youth to  check the rising corruption on the continent.

    Corruption has been one of the three main objectives of the Buhari administration since inception in May 2015.

    Speaking at the old Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja, the President said: “To the young people of Africa, this fight against corruption is yours to lead and to win in order to reverse the negative trends of corruption and its implications for Africa.

    “The Youth of Africa must pool their energies to effectively ensure that our natural and mineral resources remain on the continent for value addition, job and wealth creation as well as to create affordable health-care and quality education for our people. Winning the fight against corruption is very much in your hands!

    “Of particular interest to the youth, as reflected in the Nouakchott Declaration, is the emphasis on the imperative of investing in the demographic dividends through anti-corruption, education and sensitization campaigns, targeting young people as a means of bringing about behavioral change.

    “I thereby encourage young Africans, to use this Declaration as motivation to achieve greater resource investment in developing anti-corruption curricula and anti-graft campaigns in schools, businesses and the general public space.

    “African Youth must remain the front and centre of restoring traditional African values of probity, integrity, honesty, diligence and hard work. It is only when the youth drive this change, that corruption will be eliminated!

    “As a build up to this youth congress, l was briefed by the African Union Commission on the African Governance Architecture (AGA)-organized Regional Youth Consultations, dedicated to the Anti-Corruption theme of the year.

    “I am pleased to learn that the youth regional consultative forums were informative and rewarding for the over 600 young people from across the continent who sharpened their strategies and skills to fight corruption.

    “Furthermore, youth meetings serve as vital platforms for young people to engage. I would like to recognise some of our young leaders here present who have demonstrated the zeal and determination to build the ‘Africa We Want’.

    “First, I wish to recognize Mr. Moussa Kondo from Mali for his Accountability Lab in the Republic of Mali. He blazed the trail on how to build sustainable coalitions of ‘Accountapreneurs’.

    “Secondly, I recognise, Mr. Maxence Melo, from the United Republic of Tanzania, founder of Jamii Forums for strengthening the viability of whistleblowing policy tools.

    “I also enjoin us to celebrate our very own Nigerian – Damilola Olawale, founder of Code IT for using technology to give young people the tools to demand transparency in the management of public resources.”

    According to him, youths have excelled in pushing the boundaries of innovation in the pursuit for greater accountability.

    He said: “And so today, we celebrate them and indeed we celebrate all of you – anti-corruption youngsters. You are the unsung heroes of our thematic year of the African Union, the high-impact achievers. You are the real African champions!”

    The President described the congress as a grand rallying point to catalyse policy and practical action against corruption.

    He added: “We must listen to the perspectives of the African Youth and engage in frank and honest conversations. Communication, upwards and sideways can only be ignored at a price.

    “I am most pleased to observe that this Abuja Congress will take adequate stock of policy and institutional mechanisms in the fight against corruption as well as the role of technology amongst others.

    “I am confident that you will give due support to the continental strategies to: stem illicit financial flows out of Africa; expedite stolen assets recovery and return; strengthen the capacity of national anti-corruption institutions; explore the link between corruption and conflicts; strengthen oversight by citizens on budget performance.

    “You should also strongly advocate the universal signing and ratification of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption by all Member States of the African Union.”

  • How to win anti-graft battle, by Buhari

    How to win anti-graft battle, by Buhari

    To President Muhammadu Buhari, corruption is one of Africa’s greatest evil. Speaking on the theme: “Winning the fight against corruption: A sustainable path to Africa’s transformation” at the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addiss Ababa, Ethiopia, Buhari identifies three weapons African leaders can deploy in the fight to defeat the evil.

    It gives me great pleasure to address you on the occasion of the launch of the African Union theme: “Winning the fight against corruption: A sustainable path to Africa’s transformation”. I congratulate the African Union (AU) for dedicating the theme of the year to the noble cause of fighting corruption on our continent.

    I also take this opportunity to thank you, on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and on my own behalf, for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving as the Champion of the theme of the year.

    I pledge that I shall do my very best to ensure that the anti-corruption agenda will receive the attention it deserves and make the impact we all hope for, during 2018 and beyond.

    Corruption is indeed one of the greatest evils of our time. Corruption rewards those who do not play by the rules and also creates a system of distortion and diversion thereby destroying all efforts at constructive, just and fair governance.

    In tackling corruption, the continent has made significant strides, putting in place legal and policy frameworks, notably the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC). However, the adoption of the legal and policy frameworks have not had the desired success in tackling this evil.

    Fifteen years after the adoption of the African Union Convention, 2018 provides a good starting point to take stock of progress made so far, assess what still needs to be done and devise new strategies to address new corruption challenges.

    It is true that our continent has witnessed sustained growth over the past two decades. Nonetheless, public confidence has been eroded by a focus on short-term priorities and payoffs, propelled by corruption, which too often leaves projects uncompleted and promises unfulfilled.

    Corruption and its effects have many sides. It poses real threat to national security, unity and survival of the African State and people. The African Union Agenda 2063, under Aspiration 3, recognises that corruption erodes the development of a universal culture of good governance, democratic values, gender equality, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of the law.

    The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, under Goal 16, calls on all countries to promote and develop accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, notably, by reducing bribery and corruption.

    In this connexion, I cannot over-emphasize the value of strong institutions. A judiciary which stands firm against arbitrariness and injustice by the executive is a vital pillar in the anti-corruption fight.

    As leaders, we must build synergy between the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government in order to entrench good governance, transparency and accountability.

    Strong institutions are a necessary condition in any society which aims to fight corruption. In building strong national and regional institutions, we must adequately empower our national anti-corruption agencies and insulate them from political influence. We have to encourage increased institutional collaboration between law enforcement agencies and anti-corruption agencies in order to win this fight.

    It is evident that corruption has a devastating impact on marginalised communities especially the youth, women and children. Corruption breeds unequal societies, renders vulnerable groups prone to human trafficking, as well as recruitment into armed groups and militia. In effect, corruption deprives our young citizens of opportunities to develop meaningful livelihoods.

    We must therefore, work together to defeat this evil. With the endorsement of Your Excellencies, during the course of 2018, I wish to prioritise the following initiatives, to help us in the fight against corruption.

    • To organise African Youth Congresses against corruption, in order to sensitize and engage our youth in the fight against corruption;
    • Mobilising all African Union member states to implement the AUCPCC, and
    • Advocating for the strengthening of the criminal justice system across Africa through exchange of information and sharing best practices in the enforcement of anti-corruption laws.

    The African Union Advisory Board on Corruption should be strengthened in order to play a more proactive role in the anti-corruption fight.

    We also propose to enlist as partners, important actors such as parliamentarians, women associations, the media, the business community, faith-based groups, the youth, educational institutions and traditional leaders, among others.

    We also need to redouble our efforts in addressing the causal relationship between corruption and illicit financial flows. The report of the AU High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa, chaired by H.E Thabo Mbeki, former President of South Africa, in partnership with United Nations Economic Commission (UNECA) revealed that Africa loses about $50 billion annually.

    The High Level Panel has also pointed out the corrosive role that tax havens and secrecy jurisdictions play in concealing ill-gotten assets.

    The AU must do more to stop the continuous assault on our economic and financial resources by multinationals in collusion with some of our citizens.

    It is also important that one of the goals of this year’s theme should be the development of a Common African Position on Asset Recovery.

    The manifestation of corruption in Africa is also a reflection of the need for stronger leadership and oversight institutions. Tackling corrupt acts and greed require a reorientation of our attitudes and perceptions.

    To win the fight against corruption, we must have a CHANGE of mind set.

    Changing the state of play requires retraining a greater awareness as a means to instill better and more transparent values in the political class and the citizenry, especially people in positions of trust.

    In Nigeria we have gone far into the implementation of our CHANGE Agenda, which is primarily aimed at fighting corruption.

    As we set off on this honorable path, let us also bear in mind that fighting corruption is not going to be a straightforward task and that corruption does fight back. While we may face some setbacks, we should remain resolute. Our common goal is to eradicate corruption in the best interest of our societies.

    Let me end my remarks by reiterating Nigeria’s abiding commitment to the fight against corruption today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

    I am truly inspired in this task by the commitment, encouragement and support of my fellow African Heads of State to succeed in this noble cause.

     

  • Buhari seeks judiciary’s support for anti-graft battle

    •CJN: there ‘re still bad eggs among us 

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the judiciary to support the anti-corruption fight of his administration.

    He spoke while opening the 2017 All Nigeria Judges’ Conference of the Superior Courts in Abuja.

    The President also pushed for speedy administration of justice to reduce prison congestion.

    He said: “My lords, as all of us are aware, one of the objectives of this administration is to combat graft and other forms of corruption so endemic in our public life. The executive cannot achieve these objectives alone. We require the close cooperation of other arms of government.

    “My lords, earlier this year, the judiciary came under investigation. Let me again assure the judicial community, this action taken by the Executive was in no way a prelude to usurping the powers of the National Judicial Council or aimed at intimidating the judiciary as wrongly portrayed in some sections of the media. Executive and legislative officials were also investigated.

    “I am aware that the majority of judicial officers are learned and incorruptible and day-in-day out acting in the best spirit of their oath of office.”

    buhari added: “At the same time, I am quite aware of the problems besetting the judiciary, including under-funding, inadequate personnel and absence of modern technological aids.

    “Bearing these in mind, this administration increased allocation to the judiciary from N70 billion to N100 billion in the 2017 budget. A similar figure has been proposed for 2018.

    “Mr. Chief Justice, our administration’s commitment is to accord the judiciary its constitutional rights. I, therefore, commend your recent decision to ask all judges at lower courts to provide you with a comprehensive list of all corruption and financial crimes in order to designate special courts to handle them. I support your action and the public is awaiting the results of this initiative.”

    Stressing that the theme “Strengthening judicial integrity and the rule of law” was apt,  he said a democratic system like Nigeria’s cannot survive or prosper without strict adherence to the rule of law.

    According to him, the prime purpose of any government is to regulate social relations within its territorial jurisdiction.

    He added that without the rule of law, the government will degenerate into dictatorship or anarchy.

    The Chief Judge of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen, however, admitted that despite efforts to rid the bench of bad eggs, there were still bad judges in the nation’s judiciary.

    Onnoghen regretted that, though such bad judges were few in number, their activities have negatively impacted on the reputation of the entire Judiciary.

    The CJN noted that what makes a judge bad and corrupt was not only about accepting gratification, it includes giving judgment that was influenced by external considerations.

    He assured that sterner measures would be adopted, within the framework of the on-going reform of the justice delivery system, to effectively address the challenge posed by bad judges.

    The CJN, at the event attended by Senate President Bukola Saraki and Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu and dignitaries, said: “You will all agree with me that a corrupt judge is not only a disgrace to the Bench and the noble profession, but also a disaster to the course of justice and the nation.

    “I must not fail to emphasise here that my definition of corruption is not limited to bribe-taking, but includes the giving of judgments or orders based on any consideration other than legal merit.

    “As we are all aware, the Judiciary has been in the eye of the storm in recent times, due largely to the activities of a few bad eggs in our midst. The public today has a very wrong perception of the judiciary, and this is rather unfortunate.

    “It is gratifying to note however, that the National Judicial Council is already tackling this cankerworm head-on,” he said.

    The CJN, who identified some other measures being put in place to right the judiciary of bad eggs, said the recently constituted Justice Suleiman Galadima-led Corruption and Financial Crimes Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) is also meant “serve as a check on the excesses of some bad eggs amongst us”.

    Onnoghen urged judges to implement the recent Supreme Court’s directive that appearance per party in a case must not exceed five lawyers. This, he said, will further prevent time wasting.

     

     

  • Sagay kicks as Saraki, Dogara fault Buhari’s anti-graft battle

    Sagay kicks as Saraki, Dogara fault Buhari’s anti-graft battle

    From some unusual quarters came yesterday a biting criticism of the Federal Government’s anti-corruption war.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki said the focus of the war should be on prevention rather than punishment.

    House Speaker Yakubu Dogara said only strong institutions could ensure a successful anti-graft war.

    The National Assembly has been criticised for not doing enough, legally, to fight corruption. Many bills remain unpassed.

    Saraki said anti-corruption agents and agencies must be truly independent, stressing that the country was still far from meeting the basic standards of fighting corruption.

    But Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) chairman Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) accused the National Assembly of undermining the anti-corruption war.

    Saraki and Dogara spoke at the public presentation of a book: Antidotes for corruption – The Nigerian story, written by Senator Dino Melaye, in Abuja. Former First Lady Patience Jonathan was a special guest at the ceremony which was also attended by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Bello Mohammed; Minister of Labour Senator Chris Ngige, among others.

    One-time Speaker of the House of Representatives Ghali Umar Na’Abba was chairman.

    Saraki said: “I am convinced that we must return to that very basic medical axiom that prevention is better than cure.

    “Perhaps, the reason our fight against corruption has met with rather limited success is that we appeared to have favoured punishment over deterrence. The problem with that approach, however, is that the justice system in any democracy is primarily inclined to protect the fundamental rights of citizens. Therefore, it continues to presume every accused as innocent until proven guilty.

    “Most often, it is difficult to establish guilt beyond all reasonable doubts as required by our laws. It requires months, if not years of painstaking investigations. It requires highly experienced and technically-sound investigation and forensic officers. It requires anti-corruption agents and agencies that are truly independent and manifestly insulated from political interference and manipulation.

    We must admit that we are still far from meeting these standards. Most often, therefore, because our anti-corruption agencies are under pressure to justify their existence and show that they are working, they often tend to prefer the show over the substance.

    “However, while the show might provide momentary excitement or even public applause, it does not substitute for a painstaking investigation that can guarantee convictions.

    “I reiterate, therefore, that we must review our approaches in favour of building systems that make it a lot more difficult to carry out corrupt acts or to find a safe haven for corruption proceeds within our borders. In doing this, we must continue to strengthen accountability, significantly limit discretion in public spending, and promote greater openness.”

    Saraki admitted that the Buhari administration had brought corruption to the front burner.

    ”The people are demanding more openness, more accountability and more convictions. Those of us in government are also responding, joining the conversation and accepting that the basis of our legitimacy as the government is our manifest accountability to the people.

    “We acknowledge that if we want Nigerians to trust their government again, then government at all levels must demonstrate that we are not in office for the pursuit of private gains, but to make our people happier by helping them to meet their legitimate aspirations and achieve a higher quality of life.

    “What all these mean is that despite all that we have experienced over the years, Nigeria and Nigerians have not accepted corruption as normal; that we recognise it as a problem; that we are determined to make a break with our past and live by different rules.”

    The Senate President added that the National Assembly “changed from a one-line item to a 34-page document that shows details of how we plan to utilise the public funds that we appropriate to ourselves. This is a very significant step forward and we are very proud of it”.

    He also promised that the National Assembly would pass the anti-corruption bills before it.

    Saraki listed the Whistleblower Protection Bill, “which I am confident will be passed not later than July 2017”; The Proceeds of Crime Bill; The Special Anti-Corruption Court, “which would be done through constitutional amendment” and The Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill.

    He expressed regret that every time the country talked about corruption, “we tend to focus almost exclusively on high profile political corruption. While these tend to be of high impact and high drama, I suspect that they are not even as debilitating as what is often referred to as systemic corruption. Corruption by middle-level and junior level government officials, who pinch the system and demand gratifications to do their ordinarily routine duties.

    “From experience, this form of corruption ultimately turns out to be as grievous as the high-level corruption that readily comes to mind,” Saraki said.

    Dogara said: “As a country, we ran into a situation where corruption was becoming the norm, there was this moral cult that we had created that celebrated corruption.

    “The motivation was always there for corruption, but now what is important is not just fighting the old corrupt system. Really, if we must make progress, our focus should be to replace the old order that was corrupt with a new order that makes corruption near impossible to take place.

    “Corruption, for those who are farmers, is like a tree that grows vigorously. If you end up pruning the trees and not attacking the roots, there is no way you will deal with that thing.

    “So, when those who celebrate the successes of the fight against corruption in terms of the high profile investigation, high profile prosecution and even detention, they are missing the point because that is dealing with the symptoms of corruption.

    “That is punishing corruption. But how are we developing remedies that we can apply to ensure that the tree dies?”

    The speaker gave a likely scenario of future consequences with a recent experience, saying: “Recently, in the labour community, we went for May Day and some of us were nearly held hostage.

    “You can’t blame the workers. While they were agitating for their rights, agitating for minimum wage, some of us are talking about living wage.”

     

  • How anti-graft battle can succeed, by Sani

    How anti-graft battle can succeed, by Sani

    Senator Shehu Sani represents Kaduna Central District. A student of the late Malam Aminu Kano school of thought, he spoke with KOLADE ADEYEMI, shortly after visiting the Malam Aminu Kano museum and the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, Kano, the Kano State capital, on President Muhammadu Buhari’s health, the anti-corruption war and other issues.

    What message do you have for our leaders after touring the late Malam Aminu Kano museum in the ancient city of Kano?
    Well, the first time I came here was with my father, when the late Malam Aminu Kano was alive. At time, my father was working with The New Nigeria Newspapers and I am visiting this house because this visit is progressives and spiritual  in nature to see the frozen history of one of Nigeria’s greatest revolutionaries, progressives and nationalist. Malam Aminu Kano represented the politics of ideology and politics of principles and he was one leader that lived an exemplary life, prudence and transparency of honour and integrity and of sincerity. My visit here is to reappraise the state of the museum and also meet the directors and officials of this museum and to see how I can personally contribute to the enhancement of the museum itself. I am highly impressed by the level of care and attention given to most of these artifact, the historic artifact of history the late Malam Aminu Kano left behind. With the prevailing scenario in the country, politics has lost its substance. And a fundamental problem with our democratic setting is the fact that our politics is not run on the wheel of principles and ideology. Political parties in Nigeria are virtually lacking in ideology and that brought about the confusion in the  democratic process and political engineering in the country. It is quite unfortunate that the present generation of Nigerian political elite are more interested in pursuing power and realizing personal political ambition, as well as engaging in primitive accumulation of wealth for themselves. The landscape is supposed to be divided between conservative, reactionary on one side and also progressive revolutionaries on the other side. But it has been blurred over the years, as you don’t know who is a progressive and who is a conservative. And one problem we are facing today is the fact politics are pursed to realize personal goal or to achieve a certain vendetta against other person or as a platform or vehicle to amass wealth or to pursue narrow ethnic and religious or sectional agenda or to destroy, extinguish and emasculate the people, who do not share your own beliefs, ideologies or ethnic or religious identity or affiliation.
    What was the consequences?
    The deviation of  politics of principles and ideology created a new confused atmosphere whereby we are more or less pursuing goal of building a new nation, without actually knowing what that nation would be about. Aminu Kano’s life should be a noble example to most public office holders but unfortunately, it is not. Some of the very few people, who share the ideals and vision is people like Balarabe Musa and perhaps people like Buhari.
    How would you assess the Buhari administration?
    Buhari is an Island in his government and by the time he is back, he needs to disinfect and fumigate  his government because  in his anti-corruption crusade, he is the only person  who believes in anti-corruption war, people within his corridor of power are simply Buhari in their faces, but anti-Buhari at heart. Now, tell me, how a President (Buhari) who publicly declared his own assets; and apart from him and his Vice-President, nobody, even within his own close kitchen cabinet or outside veranda cabinet could publicly declare their assets. This shows the disbelief in the style of his own life and his own manner of leadership. And you can see the very spartern and prudent life Malam Aminu Kano has left behind, and could have served as a beckon to which we will find a new and transparent Nigeria. You should also understand it very well that achieving an absolutely corrupt-free society is theoretical illusion, but it is also a developmental necessity. We cannot achieve one hundred percent corrupt-free society, but our struggle to achieve it will be a continuous process. Nigerian politicians have since abandoned the prudent way of Malam Aminu Kano and the honesty of Sarduana of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello. They have since abandoned the focus of these great leaders. What is matter to the is how they can build political empire and then also use it as a launching pad to build a business empire. They are not entrusted in freeing the masses from poverty. They are simply interested in leveraging themselves to stupendous position of wealth.
    We live in a country whereby people in the position of power cannot create jobs for children of the poor; while there are reserved positions for children of the rich in Federal Civil service. This is what have become of this country today. If we are to build a new democratic, transparent and corrupt-free society, we must start by public office holders. We must begin to lay clear examples because we cannot have governors, rich senators, rich members of House of Representatives, rich ministers who have simply become rich because they are in public office and for you to expect any fundamental change in the way and manner Nigeria is today, we must act fast because Nigerians were corrupted by the leaders, not that Nigerians corrupted the leaders. Indeed, it is the leaders that corrupted our people.
    How would you rate Nigeria’s economy?
    In a very society where billions of dollars have been amassed for a period of over four decades, Nigerians are supposed not to be suffering from poverty. Nigeria’s wealth was shared among the political class, the private sector, the former military rulers and also foreign multi-nationals. And we must say it very clearly that despite the diversification agenda of this administration, Nigeria’s economy  is still in the hands of foreign interest in concert with their local representatives. Our tele-communication sector is dominated by foreigners, our construction sector is dominated by foreigners, our banking sector is still aligned with foreign interest and our insurance and shipping sector is all aligned with foreign interest. So, Nigeria is still an imperialist output representing the interest of western capital and also pursuing interest that is antagonistic to that of the common people.
    What do you think should be done to remedy the situation?
    Nigerian progressives need to free themselves from the confliction that is in this era whereby the progressive forces have been silenced by the activities of the reactionary conservative forces. And the ultimate change in Nigeria is only, if possible, when you have a clear-cut ideology which you are going to pursue as a country. President Muhammadu Buhari is the last man standing and a species of Nigerians who believe in integrity and honesty, but he is a man surrounded by Hyenas and vultures and lice. Most of the vultures hovering over Nigeria, watching over our famished bones and famished faces and they are also Hyenas because they are opportunistic in nature, taking advantage of their position of power to devour the poor and devour the national treasury.  So, President Muhammadu Buhari is an honest man, but leading an army of dishonest people who are very close to him. So, I call in that very word that we need to pray for Mr. President., we need to support Mr. President and those who are peddling lies about his health and the incapacity to rule are not distant enemies, but close ones who wants to be Vice President in Nigeria. They are people who wants to take over position of power; and Buhari will come back to Nigeria, and he will continue the mission which he has started—Buhari is a God’s gift to this country, he is a priceless gift to rescue Nigeria from a drift. He is the oxygen for a nation almost suffocating. Buhari should be seen as a liberator of this country. He is also a builder. Malam Aminu Kano of blessed memory is a man whose ideology and ideals should shape the politics of principles and ideology. Ii am one of those that were inspired by his kind of politics and his kind of history. We are revolutionary and we are the progressives.
    Our political thinking is on the left-hand side of the divide; and we are also in open confrontation with the reactionary forces who are determined to bring this country down and who have also been working against our progressive match to the future.