SERAP Seeking Solutions to Combating Corruption, Impunity in Nigeria

In its quest to finding solutions to how to effectively combat corruption and impunity in Nigeria, the Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP), recently held a strategic media roundtable dialogue.

The theme of the roundtable, which had in attendance stakeholders from different sectors of the economy including the administration of justice sector, was “Combating Corruption and Impunity: The Imperatives of Improving the Effectiveness of Anti-Corruption Mechanisms and the Justice System In Nigeria’’.

The Keynote Speaker, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, in his paper presentation, said Corruption is a hydra-headed monster and canker worm that has eaten deep into the socio-politico-economic fabric of Nigeria.

Oyetibo said the news from both print and electronic media, as well as social network on corruption, corrupt practices and kindred activities is, to say the least, alarming.

According to Oyetibo, Nigeria does not need a perfect written Constitution or Legal instrument to achieve good governance, transparency and accountability in the conduct of its political and economic affairs.

He said what the country needs, is a body of disciplined, responsive and responsible leaders, inwardly corrupt free individuals genuinely driven by patriotism and nationalism, to run its political and economic affairs.

The Senior Advocate noted that, the effect of corruption is pervasive, corrosive and multidimensional, because it cuts across all sectors of the nation ranging from politics, to education, health and economy.

“The effects are not peculiar to Nigeria. Thus, the consideration of the effect of corruption on Nations and their Citizens world over, was one of the fundamental reasons for the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

“Electoral process, which is the fulcrum of democratic institutions, has been grossly distorted with the attendant perversion of the rule of law with impunity. The cumulative effect of all of these in Nigeria, is institutionalised bureaucratic quagmires which have over the years, bogged down the economic development of the nation.

“A country, such as Nigeria, that is richly blessed by the Creator, of all things both in terms of human and material resources, has continued to witness slow and stunted economic development. Economic development is particularly stunted, because foreign direct investment is discouraged by corruption and corrupted institutions”, he stated.

Oyetibo said, attempts which often come in the way of legislative enactments, establishment of Institutions, formulation of Policies and Judicial intervention, have been made by successive governments to fight corruption.

He added that, this clearly showed that there is no paucity of anti-corruption laws in Nigeria, but that the inadequacies of the system and poor leadership have accentuated the problem of corruption.

Oyetibo therefore, urged the state to adopt certain measures aimed at improving the effectiveness of anti-corruption mechanism and the justice system in Nigeria.

According to him, these measures include Proper and thorough Investigation of Corruption Cases; Avoidance of Undue Delay in the trial of Corruption Cases; Adoption of the Doctrine of Punitory Disgorgement; Establishment of National Crime Data Bank and Issuance of Advisories by Regulatory Agencies.

Oyetibo said there was no gainsaying that corruption and impunity constitute the bane of Nigerian society, adding that this underscores the imperativeness of improving the effectiveness of anti-corruption mechanism and justice system in the country.

“The leadership in all aspects of our National and private lives, must go beyond rhetoric and take a definite and definitive stance against corruption, through honest living and leading by example.

“This singular act, would most certainly, in a multiplier effect, assure the enforcers of anticorruption mechanisms, that they can discharge their duties without fear or favour. It will also restore the belief in one of the cherished principles of the rule of law, that nobody is above the law.

“For us here today, the realisation of the imperativeness of the anti-corruption mechanism and justice system in Nigeria, imposes a duty on us to speak up and act against corrupt practices, so that a national value, ethos and principles which abhor corruption in all ramifications, would evolve. Invariably, this is a clarion call on all of us here, the media inclusive to support the fight against corruption”, he said.

For Akin Oyebode, a Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence, University of Lagos, stated that it is hardly an exaggeration that corruption has leveled, perhaps, the most virulent attack on Nigeria’s bodypolitik.

Oyebode said despite all the hue and cry over the debilitating consequences of corruption on the country’s socio-political fabric, it is sad but true that, the virus has continued to fester in leaps and bounds.

“Indeed, so pervasive has corruption become, that it is now conventional wisdom that if drastic measures are not put in place to contain it, corruption might ultimately result in the mortality of Nigeria as a nation-state.

“The sad situation today is that despite its pernicious nature, corruption seems to have found a comfortable nest in the lives and consciousness of many of our people, thereby giving the false and erroneous impression that Nigerians have generally accepted it as a fact of life”, he pointed out.

The Professor of Law, said Nigeria has a plethora of laws against corruption and related manifestations of the “ugly and unacceptable faces of capitalism”, adding that it is not enough to have fanciful anti-corruption laws.

“It is not enough to have fanciful anti-corruption laws. More important, is the need to get the generality of the popular masses wedded to the crusade, in order to make it a success. The reticence and lethargy of our people generally, would need to be confronted. Without the cooperation and collaboration of generality of the people, the anti-corruption bodies might end up little more than paper tigers.

“Perception, is an important factor in the efficacy of law generally. Therefore, a lot of work still needs to be done, concerning the extent of popular understanding of requisite anti-corruption legislation and appreciation of the commitment of the government to its anti-corruption programme and policy. This necessitates broad mass enlightenment on the various laws, with a view to eliciting the understanding, support and collaboration of the masses of the people.

“It is on record that, Nigeria has a set of anticorruption laws reflecting the will and intention of the government to battle the virus to the hilt. However, the efficacy of anti-corruption legislation, coupled with judicial pronouncements and conviction and sentencing of corrupt elements, would require the complement of mass action and commitment arising from general awareness and resolve to collaborate with on-going efforts. Inevitably, government action in this regard must be undertaken, for the anti-corruption struggle to bear fruit”, Oyebode added.

Also speaking at the roundtable, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla in his presentation said, “Corruption is not new, it’s been here from creation of the world, as seen in the biblical story of Esau and Jacob. It’s been one of the major contributory factors to the fall of great empires like the Roman Empire as recorded in history books.

“It is a major cause of poverty, and a barrier to overcome it. Corruption is interwoven with tricky and dicey dynamic features. When viewed on a graphical lens, it accelerates ten times faster than the growth of the nation. This has been the reason the fight against corruption seems endless; it has assumed the worrisome syndrome of “The more you look, the less you see”.

“In other words, it will seem that the more effort

put in to eradicating corruption, the more it raises its ugly head and grows larger than life, with different pet names; some call it Egunje in Yoruba, Shuashua in Hausa, Sharp Sharp, Ogboju etc. There is a disturbing slogan in Nigeria that “with the right connection you can see God”. This adds up to such tendencies of people wanting to bribe their way towards gaining unmerited government patronage, inducing people with monetary rewards to doing our biding e.g. admissions in Schools, promotions, employment, contracts awards and other personal gains through illegitimate means is indeed accepted as a norm”.

Obono-Obla said it is unarguable that integrity and good governance, are essential building blocks for achieving the objectives of sustainable development, socio economic prosperity and peace, adding that lack of which undermines the basic system of checks and balances needed in a free and egalitarian society.

“The prerequisite for good governance and integrity therefore, are “the rule of law, effective State institutions, and above all, transparency and accountability in the management of public affairs, respect for human rights, and the meaningful participation of all citizens in the political processes”.

“Fighting graft with greater citizens’ participation, therefore, means better social capital investment for all Nigerians. Although, many skeptics may see anti-corruption activities in Nigeria to be mere pinpricks in a country that is vast and unredeemably corrupt; mobilising citizens can be a highly effective tool, in combating corruption in the Nigerian public domain.

“To achieve a successful anti-corruption strategy, the Media must let the public be aware of the alarming nature and levels of corruption in the interests of transparency, accountability, and integrity. Nigeria needs an informed public to make informed decisions.

“Even as the Administration of President Buhari is inclined to fighting corruption, citizens have not complimented the efforts, even though results are coming in trickles.

“However, the major Impediment is the attitude of the people. A lot of people see it as a political vendetta or selective political fight. This I strongly disagree. Combating corruption needs an all-inclusive approach of enforcement with prevention and detective measures, including enhanced whistleblower mechanisms.

“We must start working together to reinvent governance for the 21st century; this we can achieve, by supporting and aiding government institutions charged with such duties of stamping out corruption in our nation.

“The body language of this Administration, is an affirmation to the fact that citizens have power. As a change agent, you have the power to blow the whistle, demand accountability and transparency. Even more power to demand more transparency from government officials themselves, the public sector, and your representatives in the respective houses of parliament. And most importantly, the obligation to mobilise people to support genuine programs of government meant to curb corruption, impunity, and official graft for the good of all Nigerians and the future of generations yet unborn”, Obono-Obla stated.