Anti-corruption in Nigeria: A fickle fight without fists

One disturbing and regrettable fact of Nigeria’s history is that the nation’s fortunes in 53 years of nationhood have been adversely affected by an unhindered reign of public sector corruption. But what is more irritating and which spells a collapse of the ethos upon which proper governments are founded is the likelihood that this pervading and monumental menace is being condoned by the Nigerian government.

The 2013 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Nigeria prepared by the United States Department of State, recently made public, noted without equivocation that “although the law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, the government did not implement the law effectively, and officials frequently engage in corrupt practices with impunity”. The report further declared that “the anticorruption efforts of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) remained largely ineffectual”.

The report went on to allege that the Nigerian government is targeting only public officials who were out of favour for corruption charges and leaving out those in their good books.

The findings of this report, though not novel, reaffirm the public perception about the anti-corruption fight of Jonathan’s administration.

Analysts and observers believe that the fight against public sector corruption under the current federal government lacks bite and fire, allowing free reign for kleptocracy.

Recently, a senior EFCC official cried out that the Commission had a lean treasury which points to its increasing inability to engage in active anti-corruption operations. Is this a deliberate ploy to tame the Commission and put it in check?

Nothing gives better credence to the lacklustre attitude to anti-corruption under Jonathan than the manner he gave a state pardon to Diepreye Alamieyeseigha in March 2013, after he was convicted of embezzling state monies to the tune of $10 million; Alamieyeseigha is still wanted in the United Kingdom over money laundering charges. Add the President’s incredible

Centenary award to late military ruler, Sanni Abacha, whose stupendous loot is still at large across the globe. Indeed, it has been reported that the United States of America just froze $458m of Abacha’s loot held in the US.

Nigerians have raised their voices and pens against this move that appears to create models out of those whose conduct has been adjudged reprehensible.

We believe that in societies where leaders’ consciences are pricked, especially when issues are raised over their continued commitment to proper governance and conduct of state affairs, there would have been a quick response by government to the grave issues raised in the US report and the weighty allegation suggesting an insincere commitment by government to anti corruption fight.

The government of Jonathan has neither offered a convincing rebuttal nor even an acceptance of its limitations in this regard. That neither of these has happened confirms an unwholesome tradition that encourages our government to treat critical issues of governance with kid gloves. And it confirms that this government after all is not focused on fighting corruption.

When governments routinely shirk its responsibility of preserving the moral fibre that puts human society in order, rewarding good and sanctioning wrong, it loses its representative authority to direct the affairs of society, and thus become an imposition, a repressive institution that serves the interest of oppressors.

This attitude of government soils the reputation of the nation at home and abroad and ensures that the holder of the green passport is looked on with shame and odium around the world.

We urge the federal government to shed the disdainful toga of a government that encourages corruption by empowering all anti-corruption agencies to operate according to their mandates, and indeed step up the fight against an evil that threatens the future of our commonwealth.