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How Not To Fight Corruption
By Ibrahim Inuwa
For Nigerians home and abroad, this obviously is not the best of time. What with the
sectarian carnage in the Plateau, the self-imposed constitution crisis and political chess
game, the rot in the banking sector and most unfortunately, the dangerous drift to violence
in the fight against corruption. In all the theatrical spectacles of absurdity playing itself out
lately, the recent attack and killing of an innocent operative of the EFCC is the most
senseless and totally unacceptable. As if the bizarre killing of people in Jos is not enough
gashes on the psyche and moral sense of the nation, some elements under whatever
guise decided to further drag the nation into an abyss of absurdity. This is most
unfortunate.
Without mincing words, that singular act if not condemned at all levels are capable of
entrenching an inimical precedence and a very dangerous dimension to the fight against
corruption. It is apparently not a way to go about fighting the scourge which has since
developed into an albatross under which the nation’s growth and development cringed.
In the course of some seven years, the EFCC has gone through a serial of phases. At
inception and through out the tenure of the erstwhile leadership, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the
perception was that of exuberance clad in gangsterism, abuse of human rights and
reckless abandon to the rule of law just as the toga of selectivity held sway. But with the
appointment of Farida Mzamber Waziri, a clear paradigm shift was expected and with all
sense of responsibility she climbs the stage with a clear vision toward chatting a new
course and approach to the anti-graft war. Being an adherent of government’s position on
the supremacy of the rule of law, in my candid opinion, she has been going about the
crusade with total recourse to the law and respect of human rights. Suspects now enjoy fair
trial going through due judicial processes with the Commission complying with court orders
unlike previous experiences.
Besides, if one has to go by the position of the Head of Media and Publicity of the
Commission, Mr. Femi Babafemi chronicling the scorecard of Waziri in the last two years, I
am tempted to believe that the Commission has witnessed a lot of reforms both
administratively and structurally. The Commission, more than ever before, seems to me,
focused, committed and undaunted. According to the spokesperson, EFCC has recorded
80 convictions, and recovered $3billion in less than two years. To me, it has demonstrated
courage to hold on to the struggle pursing all the cases with all the required vigor even
against all odds. I recall vividly that in one of her public presentations, the EFCC Chairman
said she had come up with a number of initiatives and strategies to lift the bar of the anti-
graft war. Some of such was her quest for cooperation with the leadership of the NBA as
well as the hiring of Senior Advocates of Nigeria,SANs, to match the strength of the
defence counsel; sponsorship of assets forfeiture bill to deny the suspect the proceed of
crime.
Other measures, she listed, include the establishment of special court to handle financial
crimes cases which in her view will avail the country quick discharge of corruption cases
leaving the people with the benefits of justice. The intervention of the commission in
collaboration with the Central Bank and other regulatory agencies to salvage the banking
sector with the recovery of over N300billion and the ongoing prosecution of over twenty
bank executives and attachment of their assets valued at over N700billion is a landmark
achievement which in my view is highly commendable. Therefore, strategic and pragmatic
review of the approaches toward sustaining the crusade; and the prospects for
consolidating on the gains of the anti-graft war, should be the interest of all and sundry not
a drift to a dangerous dimension of violence that is capable of distracting the Commission.
As a keen observer, without any prejudice, I have taken time to painstakingly follow the
committed and determined efforts of the EFCC. I am glad Waziri has come up to reassure
the optimists amongst us that the battle must be won and that she is unperturbed by the
attack on her men. It is sad to note that at this time and age, people can descend
abysmally low to the extent of taking arms against the armless operatives who are just
going about their duties. I think what should interest us at this point is how the Commission
intends to pursue its cases in the courts with appropriate logistics to ensure the highest
quality of legal representation, and with a view to gain public interest and the confidence
of the citizenry and the judiciary in particular.
If indeed, Waziri as quoted in the dailies sometime ago is resolved to building an EFCC
that will be world class, strong enough to stand the test of time and that will work within the
rule of law; put up a preventive mechanism for economic crimes; track budget and proper
application of public funds; break the link between tax evasion and money laundering/
terrorist financing, fight cybercrime and advance fee fraud through the smart use of
technology and initiate legislative intervention, assets forfeiture and establishment of
financial criminal courts, then, it would be unfair to want to distract or derail her vision for
the Commission. And Of course, violence is not an option neither is it an impetus to
promote the war.
It is imperative that we all mind the consequences of our actions. The all-pervasive
corruption that has become a scourge to the nation remains an offshoot or better still it is
a consequence of our past and immediate action and inaction. Violence can not build a
better society. Disruption and disorder nourish repression, not justice.
With the undaunted spirit of Farida Waziri even amidst all the frustrations and challenges,
one cannot but be optimistic that the Commission would fulfill its billings under this
leadership.
So much has been said on the need for collaboration. As the leadership of the Commission
forges ahead with the crusade breaking new frontiers, evolving new strategies to take the
battle to another height, it is imperative that we eschew all forms of cynicisms and acts
capable of derailing the good course and effort of the commission. EFCC needs our
support more than ever before otherwise the country and the vast majority of Nigerians
would remain shortchanged. As most Nigerians have now come to understand from the
bitter experience of our history, corruption is unmistakably the greatest challenge to our
progress.
This is the major reason why, in spite of the cynical and hypocritical howling of politicians
and their propagandists, citizens and institutions with the statutory power of scrutiny must
not allow themselves to be intimidated to drop the ball. Waziri certainly deserves our
support and encouragement.
. Ibrahim Inuwa writes from Minna
By Ibrahim Inuwa
For Nigerians home and abroad, this obviously is not the best of time. What with the
sectarian carnage in the Plateau, the self-imposed constitution crisis and political chess
game, the rot in the banking sector and most unfortunately, the dangerous drift to violence
in the fight against corruption. In all the theatrical spectacles of absurdity playing itself out
lately, the recent attack and killing of an innocent operative of the EFCC is the most
senseless and totally unacceptable. As if the bizarre killing of people in Jos is not enough
gashes on the psyche and moral sense of the nation, some elements under whatever
guise decided to further drag the nation into an abyss of absurdity. This is most
unfortunate.
Without mincing words, that singular act if not condemned at all levels are capable of
entrenching an inimical precedence and a very dangerous dimension to the fight against
corruption. It is apparently not a way to go about fighting the scourge which has since
developed into an albatross under which the nation’s growth and development cringed.
In the course of some seven years, the EFCC has gone through a serial of phases. At
inception and through out the tenure of the erstwhile leadership, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the
perception was that of exuberance clad in gangsterism, abuse of human rights and
reckless abandon to the rule of law just as the toga of selectivity held sway. But with the
appointment of Farida Mzamber Waziri, a clear paradigm shift was expected and with all
sense of responsibility she climbs the stage with a clear vision toward chatting a new
course and approach to the anti-graft war. Being an adherent of government’s position on
the supremacy of the rule of law, in my candid opinion, she has been going about the
crusade with total recourse to the law and respect of human rights. Suspects now enjoy fair
trial going through due judicial processes with the Commission complying with court orders
unlike previous experiences.
Besides, if one has to go by the position of the Head of Media and Publicity of the
Commission, Mr. Femi Babafemi chronicling the scorecard of Waziri in the last two years, I
am tempted to believe that the Commission has witnessed a lot of reforms both
administratively and structurally. The Commission, more than ever before, seems to me,
focused, committed and undaunted. According to the spokesperson, EFCC has recorded
80 convictions, and recovered $3billion in less than two years. To me, it has demonstrated
courage to hold on to the struggle pursing all the cases with all the required vigor even
against all odds. I recall vividly that in one of her public presentations, the EFCC Chairman
said she had come up with a number of initiatives and strategies to lift the bar of the anti-
graft war. Some of such was her quest for cooperation with the leadership of the NBA as
well as the hiring of Senior Advocates of Nigeria,SANs, to match the strength of the
defence counsel; sponsorship of assets forfeiture bill to deny the suspect the proceed of
crime.
Other measures, she listed, include the establishment of special court to handle financial
crimes cases which in her view will avail the country quick discharge of corruption cases
leaving the people with the benefits of justice. The intervention of the commission in
collaboration with the Central Bank and other regulatory agencies to salvage the banking
sector with the recovery of over N300billion and the ongoing prosecution of over twenty
bank executives and attachment of their assets valued at over N700billion is a landmark
achievement which in my view is highly commendable. Therefore, strategic and pragmatic
review of the approaches toward sustaining the crusade; and the prospects for
consolidating on the gains of the anti-graft war, should be the interest of all and sundry not
a drift to a dangerous dimension of violence that is capable of distracting the Commission.
As a keen observer, without any prejudice, I have taken time to painstakingly follow the
committed and determined efforts of the EFCC. I am glad Waziri has come up to reassure
the optimists amongst us that the battle must be won and that she is unperturbed by the
attack on her men. It is sad to note that at this time and age, people can descend
abysmally low to the extent of taking arms against the armless operatives who are just
going about their duties. I think what should interest us at this point is how the Commission
intends to pursue its cases in the courts with appropriate logistics to ensure the highest
quality of legal representation, and with a view to gain public interest and the confidence
of the citizenry and the judiciary in particular.
If indeed, Waziri as quoted in the dailies sometime ago is resolved to building an EFCC
that will be world class, strong enough to stand the test of time and that will work within the
rule of law; put up a preventive mechanism for economic crimes; track budget and proper
application of public funds; break the link between tax evasion and money laundering/
terrorist financing, fight cybercrime and advance fee fraud through the smart use of
technology and initiate legislative intervention, assets forfeiture and establishment of
financial criminal courts, then, it would be unfair to want to distract or derail her vision for
the Commission. And Of course, violence is not an option neither is it an impetus to
promote the war.
It is imperative that we all mind the consequences of our actions. The all-pervasive
corruption that has become a scourge to the nation remains an offshoot or better still it is
a consequence of our past and immediate action and inaction. Violence can not build a
better society. Disruption and disorder nourish repression, not justice.
With the undaunted spirit of Farida Waziri even amidst all the frustrations and challenges,
one cannot but be optimistic that the Commission would fulfill its billings under this
leadership.
So much has been said on the need for collaboration. As the leadership of the Commission
forges ahead with the crusade breaking new frontiers, evolving new strategies to take the
battle to another height, it is imperative that we eschew all forms of cynicisms and acts
capable of derailing the good course and effort of the commission. EFCC needs our
support more than ever before otherwise the country and the vast majority of Nigerians
would remain shortchanged. As most Nigerians have now come to understand from the
bitter experience of our history, corruption is unmistakably the greatest challenge to our
progress.
This is the major reason why, in spite of the cynical and hypocritical howling of politicians
and their propagandists, citizens and institutions with the statutory power of scrutiny must
not allow themselves to be intimidated to drop the ball. Waziri certainly deserves our
support and encouragement.
. Ibrahim Inuwa writes from Minna