CLEEN Foundation
organized a two-day town hall meeting on Anti-Corruption Strategies in Nigeria
in Abuja. The town hall meeting had paper presentations on the role of citizens
in the fight against corruption, evaluation of institutional efforts in
combating corruption and strategic approaches to fighting corruption in
Nigeria. The programme was chaired by the Chairman, Board of Directors of CLEEN
Foundation, Professor Etannibi Alemika of the University of Jos. The keynote address
was delivered by Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, the Executive Secretary of the Presidential
Advisory Council on Anti-Corruption (PACC). Other presenters and discussants at
the event included Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Ms Lilian Ekeanyanwu (Head, Technical
Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms), Dr Hussain Abdu (Country
Director of PLAN International), Mr Bankole Toba, CEO Inspire Incubator. The media, CSOs
and representatives of various government agencies were present at the meeting.
Key observations
Ø The
Town-hall acknowledged the deep passion and commitment of the Buhari
administration to fight corruption in Nigeria.
Ø It
acknowledged the renewed efforts and vigor of the anti-graft agencies in
fighting corruption towards eliminating its adverse effects on the country.
Ø It also noted
with deep concern the battered image of Nigeria as a corrupt nation as it
affects citizens in the diaspora and those within the country.
Key Issues
Ø The country is deeply entrenched in corruption with the details
being exposed to citizens. Corruption has affected effective service delivery
including education, health, roads, electricity etc. This has further reduced
the condition and quality of life of Nigerians.
Ø Corruption accounts for poor policy choices and outcomes and
reduces productivity
Ø Corruption in Nigeria has fuelled poverty and diminished economic
growth. According to the Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the poverty rate in
Nigeria increased from 54.4% in 2007 to 69.1% in 2010.
Ø This high rate of corruption is affecting every facet of the
economy including the alarming decline in the exchange rate of the naira
Ø Consequent on the falling oil prices, the effect is now more
pronounced as Nigeria is solely dependent on crude oil.
Ø Government at all levels is finding it difficult to fulfill
statutory duties, payment of salaries, security and provision of basic
infrastructures.
Ø For more than one decade, successive governments have created more
anti-graft agencies without enough impact in reducing corruption in Nigeria.
Rather, corruption has increased in magnitude and numbers and in some quarters,
it has reached the level of impunity.
Ø This corruption is evidenced in the 2.1 billion dollars arms scam
and the inability of the country to respond to challenges posed by the war
against insurgency in the Northeast and other troubled parts of the country.
These issues and many others can be linked to the following
causes:
Ø Decline in family values
Ø Lack of national patriotism
Ø Lack of reward for hard work and excellence
Ø Decay in the public service
Ø Lack of protection for whistle blowers
Ø Inaction by the government even where incidences of corruption are
flagged
Ø Absence of due diligence in investigation coupled with poor and
prolonged prosecution of alleged culprits
Ø Complicity of local and
foreign banks
Ø Complicity of some foreign governments who exhibit double
standards in making their countries safe haven for looted funds from Nigeria.
In view of the issues identified
above and the ongoing efforts by the present administration to rid the country
of corruption, the 2-day Town-hall meeting proposes the following:
Ø That President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration should intensify
its efforts in the fight against corruption in order to place Nigeria on a true
and sustainable path to development.
Ø All indicted citizens no matter how highly placed should be duly
prosecuted and when found guilty should serve the appropriate punishment.
Ø Corruption should be fought in an inclusive manner while the
government should inform the citizens through various reporting channels.
Ø Citizens must demand good governance and accountability from the
government.
Ø Citizens should not rationalize the fight against corruption along
ethnic, religious and party lines but rather to claim the space to fight
corruption in Nigeria.
Ø The Judiciary should expand its capacity to effectively handle the
increasing number of corruption cases brought to the courts
Ø All cases of corruption must be prosecuted in line with the rule
of law and constitutional provisions accorded to accused persons.
Ø All existing security and anti-graft institutions must be
strengthened to enable them deliver on their mandates.
Ø The fight against corruption should not be left alone to the
government. All professional bodies such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA),
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Association of National Accountants
of Nigeria (ANAN), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Chartered Institute
of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and others should join the government in the
fight against corruption by making sure that erring members are appropriately
sanctioned.
Ø The media is an important ally in the fight against corruption. As
the watchdog of the society, it must report factual information and not play to
the gallery in reporting corruption in the country through sensational
headlines.
Ø Civil Society Organizations should continue to synergize and speak
with one voice in the fight against corruption. As the voice of the people,
they should embark on programmes that would enhance citizens’ demand for
accountability and transparency in governance.
Ø The government should deploy Information, Communication and Technology
(ICT tools) in the fight against cases of corruption through tracking,
reporting and investigation of corruption. CSOs and Nigerians should make
effective use of social media in educating and informing citizens on trending
issues on corruption.
Ø The religious and traditional institutions must speak out against
corruption and play the expected role of reorientation and strengthening of family
values.
Ø The schools should intensify all efforts in inculcating moral and
civic education in children. This will ensure they grow up as incorruptible,
patriotic and responsible citizens.
Ø The international community should cooperate with the Nigerian
government in the fight against corruption through thorough investigation of
international cases of corruption and ensure the return of looted funds back to
Nigeria.
Done
in Abuja this 16th Day of February 2016.
Signed,
Benson
Olugbuo
Acting
Executive Director
