Anti-Corruption War R.I.P?

Unlike the majority of Nigerian political leaders whose love of the “good life” leads them to develop pot-bellies and fat necks after assuming office, President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) has lost weight. Granted he isn’t in good health but it’s still a sign that unlike others he personally isn’t interested in gorging himself on the “dividends” of office. In addition to his undisclosed medical ailments it’s doubtful if PMB has peace of mind. The majority of Nigerians bought into his idea of an aggressive anti-corruption war as a panacea to our problems.

Alas despite all his good intentions the much-touted anti-corruption war is turning into a farce. Fighting corruption isn’t about convicting people on the pages of newspapers. It’s about convicting people in law courts with unassailable evidence. It’s about strong institutions not strong individuals. It’s about closing loopholes in government release of funds. Regrettably PMB’s war against corruption has degenerated into a media circus and entertainment industry. As a result of the “whistleblower” policy” the nation is increasingly regaled with pictures of millions in currency notes supposedly “found” after reportedly being left unattended in airports, closed shops, or empty apartments. The only thing never found is the owner of these millions! The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is gradually becoming a laughing stock. Seemingly fixated on naming and shaming suspects rather than obtaining convictions, they are yet to develop a holistic and impartial approach to fighting corruption. They detain some people without charge, whilst others with similar allegations against them continue to hold sensitive government positions. It’s looking more and more like a political charade.

The latest instalment of the media circus is the “discovery” of cash reportedly totalling $43.4 Million, £27,800 and N23.2 Million in an unoccupied flat in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos. The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is flirting with bringing its reputation into disrepute by claiming the money belongs to them. The NIA isn’t a revenue generating agency. Budgeted funds are released monthly by the Ministry of Finance and monies meant for MDA’s are kept in the Treasury Single Account (TSA) with the CBN. It’s scandalous and immoral that in a nation where the vast majority of the population live below the international poverty line, where pensions and salaries aren’t paid promptly, where government schools and hospitals are shambolic, and where basic infrastructure is dilapidated, that a government agency could attempt to justify keeping the equivalent of N13 Billion in an unguarded apartment. We just keep giving the international community reason to deride, ridicule and mock our nation.

It’s difficult for anyone with a capacity to reason not to be cynical about the NIA claim. The only logical nexus between the them and the money would have been if the building was theirs. If truly the money belongs to them, then the agency should be renamed “The National Unintelligent Agency”! The pubic are expected to simply believe that the NIA is incompetent and careless, and EFCC operations aren’t well considered. This isn’t true, both these agencies employ seasoned professionals. Deceit is now being elevated into an instrument of government policy. Nigerians have a right to know the truth. There are so many unanswered questions. Why would a government agency keep foreign currency in an unguarded building and not in a bank or secure location? How long has the money been kept there? How much was actually collected and how much spent? Who approved the money? Why wasn’t it all spent? Why wasn’t it returned to the treasury? Is there no proper co-ordination between government agencies? Why didn’t the EFCC keep watch on the building to see who enters and leaves before raiding it? Vigilant observers noted that in the published pictures of the “discovery” the keys were left in the safe. Why didn’t the owners at least hide the keys? The dollars are in batches and new. Why is it so difficult to trace the origin of the serially numbered notes? This whole episode is indicative of a failed system.

At best the NIA’s claim to ownership of the cash haul can be likened to “Dasukigate” where authority was given from the highest quarters to wrongly appropriate government funds and disburse them in such a manner as to frustrate accountability. There is no law in Nigeria which limits how much cash any individual can keep in their possession, so simply seizing cash hauls is no achievement. It must be proved that the money represents proceeds from corrupt practices and those responsible must also be jailed. There are cynics who believe that all these “discoveries” are a ruse to distract from the hopelessness, squalor, fear, decease, and almost permanent lack of electricity engulfing the nation. It’s difficult to fault their logic when truthfully everything is falling apart. Precisely of what use are anti-corruption and code of conduct agencies when accused Senators are cleared by the Senate, accused Judges cleared by the Judiciary, and accused Members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) cleared by the Presidency? Corruption has successfully fought back. If nothing changes soon, then the war against corruption would have been lost and should be left to rest in peace!