CISLAC
Transparency International
CISLAC
Transparency International Report on
Corruption in Nigeria
In Abuja: The 2018 Corruptions Perceptions Index
(CPI) released globally by Transparency International today reveals
that Nigeria has neither improved nor
progressed in the perception of corruption in the public
administration in 2018.
The newly released index published in Nigeria exclusively by the
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Transparency
International Chapter in Nigeria, reveals that Nigeria
scored 27 out of 100 points in the 2018 CPI, maintaining the
same score as in the 2017 CPI. In the country
comparison, Nigeria ranks 144 out of 180 countries this
year as opposed to 148 out of 180 countries in the 2017 CPI.
Nigeria is thus still perceived as highly corrupt, and although the
ranking shows that Nigeria moved up four (4) places, it only means
that four other countries have scored worse while Nigeria
stagnated.
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) aggregates data from a
number of different sources that provide perceptions by
business community and country experts of the level of corruption
in the public sector. In the case of Nigeria, the composite
score consists of sources which include:
1. African Development Bank Perception Survey,
2. Bertelsmann Foundation Transformation Index,
3. Economist Intelligence Unit Country Ratings,
4. PRS International Country Risk Guide,
5. World Bank Corruption Perception Assessment,
6. the World Economic Forum Executive Opinion
Survey;
7. World Justice Project Rule of Law Index and
8. Varieties of Democracy Project.
All are impartial, well-respected, statistically significant and
evidence-based sources.
You may recall that in February last year when the 2017
Corruption Perception Index (CPI) was released, some challenged the
results and stated that it did not reflect the situation in the
country, while others agreed that corruption has truly eaten deep
into the Nigerian system and that the score was a true reflection
of the state of corruption in Nigeria.
CISLAC notes that lack of progress in the fight against
corruption as testified by this year’s edition of the CPI is a
consequence of partial or non-implementation of recommendations
issued by corruption experts and activists.
There were recommendations that accompanied the launch of the
CPI 2017, one of which was for the immediate appointment and prompt
inauguration of the National Procurement Council (NPC) as provided
in the Public Procurement Act. In 2018, the Permanent Secretary, at
the Open Government Week 2018, responded to the question of when
the NPC would be inaugurated by stating that “the Council has in
fact been constituted and its inauguration will be done very
soon.” Regrettably, CISLAC despite corruption in procurement
which is responsible for around 70% of the aggregated corruption in
the public administration, the NPC has still not been
inaugurated.
Another recommendation urged the Government of Nigeria and the
Legislature to strengthen anti-corruption institutions and provide
adequate protection and encouragement for whistleblowers. The
confirmation of 60 nominees for leadership positions across various
institutions, including agencies vital to fighting corruption
continues to suffer delay, which has continued to undermine
governance and complicate the fight against corruption in the
country.
With the inability of the present administration to stop
political boycott of key appointments and pass the much
needed legislation such as the Proceeds of Crime Bill and to
implement the recommendations given at the launch of the CPI 2017,
it is no wonder that Nigeria’s score in 2018 is no different than
2017. Let us underscore that “acting” leadership of any
anti-corruption and law enforcement institution is falling short
when these institutions should spearhead the combating pervasive
corruption and organised crime as in the case of Nigeria.
Furthermore, the public image of the anti-corruption campaign in
Nigeria is tarnished domestically and internationally with
extremely slow progress to move on numerous anti-corruption
commitments made by the Government. 14 commitments were made as
part of the Open Government Partnership effort. In some cases, a
modest progress has been made. However, majority of the 14
commitments are unfulfilled. 20 commitments were also made by the
President Buhari’s administration in London 2016 during an
anti-corruption conference. Of this number, not a single commitment
has been completed three years thereafter. 50% of
anti-corruption commitments are under way while 25% are inactive.
25% of commitments are in progress.
Public participation and active reporting of corruption is
seriously hindered by the absence of the Whistleblower Protection
Act that would ensure the protection of the Whistleblowers from
dismissals, suspensions, harassments, discriminations or
intimidation. Let us be clear, no country can make progress
without insider reportage of corruption abuses.
Corruption in the defence and security sector contributes
significantly to the human despair and economic stagnation across
Nigeria. While the Nigerian defence budget has soared more than
500% in the last 10 years, insecurity and breakdown of the rule of
law in some parts of the country continue unabated. CISLAC and
other civil society groups have been consistent in proposing
immediate solutions –Ban senseless Security votes, which
accounts in total for around $670 million (N241.2 billion)
annually, a sum that exceeds 70 percent of the annual budget of the
Nigeria Police Force; more accessible defence budgets for public
scrutiny; appoint civilian oversight in charge of military
procurement and encourage culture of reporting of corruption within
the ranks and files of the Nigerian armed forces. These
are recommendations articulated and received from a wide range of
stakeholders working across this thematic issue, raising concerns
as to the usefulness and genuineness of the motive of having
security votes in place.
This CPI score comes at a time when Nigeria is being tested
while experiencing threats to its system of checks and balances,
insecurity, corrupt judicial practices, undiminished graft in
public administration at all levels, threats to press freedom,
diminishing civil society space, as well as an erosion of ethical
norms at the highest levels of power. Since the current
administration came into power on the anti-corruption ticket, a
very few politically exposed persons have been duly sentenced on
anti-corruption charges.
Despite some indisputable evidence, many corrupt politicians and
businessmen and women seem to be above the law and out of reach of
law enforcement. Recent corruption scandals, including the
GandujeGate, ShemaGate, DasukiGate, IkoyiGate, among others, have
not seen diligent investigations, prosecutions and convictions of
these cases and other Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). The
authorities need to understand that these acts deepen a sense of
hopelessness among well-meaning Nigerians.
It would be wrong to ignore some positives in the governance
field. Judiciary and anti-corruption agencies are making some
progress in the number of persons convicted for corruption-related
charges. Special judicial anti-corruption courts are getting faster
and better in seizing of ill-gotten assets in non-conviction based
trials. The Treasury Single Account (TSA) has reduced vast
inefficiencies and corruption in the mismanagement of individual
MDAs, banks and other financial institutions have introduced
Customer Due Diligence and there are some signs that the huge
amount of illicit financial outflows has partially reduced. The
Freedom of Information Act is instrumental in slowly opening the
transparency of public institutions by forcing them to disclose
vital information to engaged citizens.
The introduction of beneficial ownership of companies is needed
to know the extent of suspected ownership of politicians and civil
servants of oil and gas companies, construction businesses and
other public contractors. Money-laundering crimes and tax evasion
need to be more stringently investigated and prosecuted by
competent agencies and in line with Financial Action Task Force
Standards. Frivolous and fraudulent tax wavers to
multinational and Nigerian companies, especially in high net
revenue sectors such as oil and gas, communication and construction
need to be stopped. They clearly do not benefit Nigerian
population.
If Nigerian democracy and governance is to be preserved, the
origins of huge assets of Nigerian real owners need be
disclosed and, in case of PEPs, military and non-military
personnel, religious leaders and other public figures, diligently
explained to Nigerians.
This year, further research analysis shows a disturbing link
between corruption and the health of democracies, where countries
with higher rates of corruption also have weaker democratic
institutions and political rights.
This years’ edition shows that while no country earned a perfect
score on the CPI, countries that tend to do best also
protects democratic rights and values. Many countries at
the top of the CPI have a number of attributes in common. This
includes a respect for the rule of law, independent oversight of
institutions, an independent media, and space for civil society
organisations to operate and speak out. Many low performing
countries have several commonalities, including weak political
rights, limited press freedoms and a weak rule of law. In these
countries, laws often go unenforced and institutions are poorly
resourced with little ability to handle corruption complaints. In
addition, internal conflict and unstable governance structures
contribute to high rates of corruption.
In some countries, Nigeria notwithstanding, corruption scandals
have eroded trust in democratic politics and institutions. In these
cases, some leaders have co-opted or hijacked anti-corruption
messaging to serve their political agendas, often weaponizing
populist ideals to chip away at the same democratic institutions
they were elected to represent.
Therefore, CISLAC urges all political parties and
candidates before 2019 to ensure peaceful and credible
elections. CISLAC stresses that the timing of the release of
the CPI 2018 coincides with the upcoming elections in Nigeria as
the launch is global.We further urge all political parties and
candidates to resist misusing the CPI results for advancing
individual or political party agendas.
RECOMMENDATIONS
For 25 years, Transparency International has been leading the
fight against corruption worldwide, working as a global movement in
more than 100 countries, including Nigeria. CISLAC recommends time
and time again to stop corruption by:
Ø Strengthening the institutions responsible for
maintaining checks and balances over political power, and ensuring
their ability to operate without intimidation.
Ø Closing the implementation gap between anti-corruption
legislation, practice and enforcement.
Ø Supporting civil society organisations which enhance
political engagement and public oversight over government spending,
particularly at the state and local level.
Ø Supporting a free and independent media, ensuring the
safety of journalists and their ability to work without
intimidation or harassment.
By CISLAC