One Day Won’t Win the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria—SERAP

As the world marks Anti-Corruption Day, President Muhammadu
Buhari has an opportunity to revolutionize his anti-corruption
fight and raise his game in his government’s efforts to rid Nigeria
of corruption, poverty, and underdevelopment, writes Timothy
Adewale, deputy director of the Socio-Economic Rights and
Accountability Project (SERAP)

On December 9, Nigeria will join 185 other nations to mark
International Anti-Corruption Day, the 15th anniversary of the
signing of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. It is
important to raise awareness about the harm caused by corruption,
demonstrate the progress made by the international community to
unite against corruption, and reaffirm the urgency of this
fight.

Countries around the globe have struggled to overcome poverty,
underdevelopment, and inequality. All are exacerbated by
corruption, which saps national and individual resources and erodes
trust in government. No country, region, or community is immune to
this crime.

In 2015, Nigerians elected President Muhammadu Buhari, in part
thanks to his pledge to tackle corruption. Famously stating, “If we
don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us,” he promised to
prevent public officials from looting the coffers.

According to a 2017 Gallup survey, 80 percent of Nigerians
thought that corruption was rampant in the government, and 76
percent believed that it was rampant in the private sector. Yet,
there is reason for hope. The 2018 Afro-barometer poll in Nigeria
shows that 59 percent of those surveyed reported that the
government was doing “fairly well” or “very well” in the fight
against corruption.

But there is much more to do. Today, corruption still
constitutes one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s sustainable
and equitable development.

The conviction rate for corruption is low. Authorities are slow
to adopt and implement critical reforms. The anti-corruption fight
appears plagued by selectivity and the apparent complicity of key
officials and cover-ups, including unaddressed, longstanding
allegations of corruption against several state governors.

More than three years after the current administration took
office and promised to fight grand corruption, no ‘big fish’
suspected of corruption has yet been sent to jail. The rare
exception is the recent jailing of two former governors. And it
seems unlikely that many of those facing grand corruption charges
will be successfully prosecuted before the end of the
administration in May 2019.

In the National Assembly, several states of the federation, and
federal ministries, corruption occurs every day and every hour,
especially in the budget process, the power sector, the education
sector, the water sector, the health sector, and other important
public sectors. Corruption continues to directly affect the lives
and well-being of millions of Nigerians across the country and to
erode public trust in public institutions and leaders.

There is uneven implementation of the rule of law and democratic
processes, limited citizen participation in policy processes, and
deliberate disobedience of court orders and judgments.

Judgments that serve to increase transparency are routinely
ignored, allowing corruption to continue. For example, SERAP
recently obtained a Federal High Court order for the government to
publish widely and account for how recovered stolen funds have been
spent since the return of democracy in 1999. Another judgment SERAP
obtained that orders the government to tell Nigerians about stolen
assets allegedly recovered from corrupt officials is only partially
enforced.

One of the best measures of a country’s progress toward
transparency and accountability is respect for the rule of law. The
law ought to command the highest level of respect by the government
immediately obeying orders and judgments of competent courts. The
fight against corruption won’t succeed if the government continues
to selectively adhere to law or refuse to rectify any
disobedience.

As the world marks Anti-Corruption Day, Mr. Buhari has an
opportunity to revolutionize his anti-corruption fight and raise
his game in his government’s efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption,
poverty, and underdevelopment. Nigeria can and should lead the way
for the rest of the world to entrench a culture of the rule of law
and good governance. Nigerians need to see real commitment and
high-level investment in promoting a culture of clean government
and total obedience to the rule of law.

This would have a beneficial effect, not only in terms of
gaining the trust and confidence of Nigerians in his professed
anti-corruption campaign, but also in ensuring that Nigeria
effectively contributes to the global efforts to achieve the UN’s
Sustainable Development Goals.

The international community must stand united against corruption
not just in words but in concrete action if the global efforts to
lift people from poverty and economic marginalisation are to be
successful.

Timothy Adewale is deputy director of the Socio-Economic Rights
and Accountability Project (SERAP), a Nigerian nonprofit that
promotes human rights, transparency, and accountability in
governance.

Related