Eugene Enahoro
Corruption fights back
Although most Nigerians believe it’s virtually impossible to completely root out corruption, they have always longed for a leader who would at least put an end to the wanton rape of our economy by those in high places. Political appointees act as if holding political office, no matter for how short a period of time, entitles them to a lifetime of prosperity and relevance in public affairs. Any political office holder who doesn’t use the opportunity to become a multi-millionaire is considered foolish rather than patriotic.
When President Mohammad Buhari (PMB) declared his preparedness to re-contest the presidency, many new supporters jumped on the bandwagon undeterred by his shortcomings as a social reformer, deep political philosopher, or astute economist. His victory was attributable to an unequivocal and unwavering anticorruption stance. His supporters believe that even if he does nothing else but successfully fight corruption he would have left a legacy for eternity. When he recently announced investigations aimed at recovering approximately $150 Billion stolen by previous administrations through “illegal” oil sales it should have been expected that the corrupt would be nervous and use all means at their disposal to fight back.
The forces lined up against his anti-corruption stance shouldn’t be underestimated. Most Nigerian political and financial elites are enmeshed in corrupt practices. For decades they have done nothing other than hold government appointments or toy with government funds and contracts. Not surprisingly the first shot was fired by the Presidential Peace Committee.
Considering the Halliburton, South African Arms Cash, Oil Block Award, Transcorp, NEPA Privatization and other Scandals it’s quite clear that certain members of this Committee will be implicated if investigations are thorough. Their appeal that “due process” should be followed is an endorsement of the current situation in which the corrupt have no fear of justice.
Inefficient, pliant and corrupt Judges facilitate interminable delays in anti-corruption cases and decline to impose severe jail sentences on the guilty. Most surprising is the position adopted by Bishop Matthew Kukah whose defence of Goodluck Jonathan is difficult to fathom. Although Jonathan hasn’t been accused of corruption the Bishop jumped to his defence. Bringing much opprobrium upon himself he told long suffering Nigerians that the former president is owed a debt of gratitude which no amount of missing billions can repay! Perhaps out of compassion he attempted to pre-empt the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
Yet in truth Goodluck Jonathan lost the election due to his failure in six years at the helm of affairs. He made no discernible positive impact on the lives of Nigerians; the nation was driven almost to the brink of war; the treasury was looted with impunity, and even the Amnesty Program and Niger Delta Ministry which were set up to assist his own people became riddled with fraud. Nigerians certainly do not owe him a debt of gratitude, all he did was to walk away from failure. More meaningfully the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) pointed out that the US Government fined a Japanese construction firm $54.6 million for bribing Nigerian government officials to facilitate the award of the NLG contract under Obasanjo. As far as they are concerned unless the well documented corruption that took place between 1999 and 2007 is dealt with, any probe of Jonathan’s Government will be simply a witch hunt. In addition the 8th Senate is proving to be more of a hindrance than help in the renewed war.
It’s increasingly apparent that Senators care little about the low esteem in which the general public holds them. Their latest tomfoolery is the ongoing charade with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who mysteriously invited the Senate President’s wife to answer queries over money laundering when her husband was a State Governor. Following quickly on the heels of her summons the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions launched an investigation into a mysterious petition against the EFCC by George Uboh who is said to be on trial for alleged fraud. Rule (1 - 3) of the Senate Standing Orders clearly spells out how petitions are handled, and none of the laid down procedures was followed.
The situation is messy and unwarranted, while the investigation is illegal and pointless. Senate probes have ccontinuously proved to be a waste of time and money with no discernible benefit to the nation. Our Senators’ preference for lucrative oversight functions and probes over the cerebral business of actual law making was revealed by 7th Senate. They had to pass 47 Bills in a matter of minutes when it dawned upon them that they had spent four years doing nothing of legislative significance. The VicePresident has correctly asserted that no nation became great through corruption, and nobody has the right to pocket public funds.
This administration must put an end to treasury looters either obtaining perpetual injunctions or plea bargaining with the EFCC only to re-join society as “leaders of thought” and “distinguished elders”! Unless examples are made of certain “high profile” individuals, there will be no reason anyone should expect incoming political office holders to be honest. It only stands to reason that previous treasury looters cannot be allowed to keep their ill-gotten wealth, and also they must be identified. If Jonathan’s administration chose not to probe their predecessors that was their prerogative, it doesn’t give them the right to pre-empt this administration’s ongoing anti-corruption war.
anti-corruption