Anti-Corruption War: Need For A More Pragmatic Approach

Corruption is a malaise that has eaten so deep into the fabric of every facet of the Nigerian society. The Transparency International (IT) rates Nigeria as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. It is so obvious that as soon as a visitor comes into the country at the various entry points, either seaports, airports, or borders and on our various, roads, you easily observe these obnoxious vices.

This vice sometimes traceable to our endemic state of poverty, ignorance and traditional cultural practices has gone a long way to foster under­development, decay in our nation and body polity, a complete total collapse in the value system of the nation. Indeed government after government have tried to fight this hydra-headed problem but to no avail.

Over a decade ago, the Olusegun Obasanjo government in power then, established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) and backed them by law to bring to book offenders of provisions establishing these bodies. Tied to these are existing statutes and legislation on anti- corruption enshrined in our laws.

However, inspite of these attempts, the menace seems intractable, mainly because these laws are not properly enforced and applied when and where necessary.

A case in point is the celebrated and infamous corruption scam in the Ministry of Health that cost the public life of the minister and her deputy as well as some members and her deputy as well as some members of the House Committee on Health, They were tried and removed from office but sadly, some of the House members who were implicated in the case were not punished and brought to book.

For instance, the then House Committee Chairman on Health, Senator Iyabo O. Bello, though indicted, was still left in her office. There was case of a N3 billion scam which was traced to the same person but not investigated.

Then, the issue of the $16 billion oil windfall in the Ibrahim Babangida regime of the 1990s audited by the Pius Okigbo panel, which indicted the then government and was handed over for a white paper to be passed. Interestingly, after it was completed, it was declared missing.

But recently, the document was found and has been passed over to the government for action. This writer hopes the government will have the will to take action on this.

Also is the Halliburton scam that has been investigated and a white paper gazetted that indicted four heads of state and many serving public office holders. Though the American government had tried its own officials and Halliburton staff who were culpable and punished according to law, Nigerian government is yet to do same even with the overwhelming evidence at their disposal.

Next, of course, is the Siemens case, of large scale bribery and corruption leveled against government officials, who were linked to power sector contracts. The German government has since tried officials of the company and sentence them. But its Nigerian counterpart is yet to be brought to book. And, of course, we know that the Obasanjo government oversaw one of the most monumental cases of corruption even though it was said to be fighting it.

Furthermore, there have been so many cases of other corrupt offences by government and public office holders who have either been swept under the carpet or not investigated properly for reasons that are not explained.

Now, since these bodies have been established and other legislation put in place, it behoves Nigerians to hold public office holders accountable and responsive to their constitutional duties and roles.

In conclusion, the press as the Fourth Estate of the Realm and watch dog, needs to continuously inform, educate and lead the people in the campaign and fight for transparency, accountability and good governance, especially with the signing into law of the Freedom of Information Bill by President Goodluck Jonathan last month. Also, government has to conduct government business in an open way and manner to promote open society with probity, by sustaining the crusade of anti-corruption. The press should not spare any officer or government official as nobody or government is greater than the country. So, there should be no ox gored.

Ayooso, a public affairs analyst, contributed this piece from Port Harcourt.

Sampson Ayooso