Anti-corruption activists and crusaders met on Thursday to agree to the fight against corruption under the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari.
These crusaders representing different Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) also reviewed the engagement and participation of CSOs in Nigeria, and the recent call for the resignation of the President of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa.
They described the protest labeled “Bawa Must Go” involving CSOs from all over Nigeria as unnecessary.
They spoke at a summit organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Center. Labeled “Anti-Corruption Assessment Under President Buhari (2015 – 2023)”, it was held in Lagos.
The event also featured a panel session featuring Echoes of Women in Africa Executive Director Kate Duru; the Executive Director of Journalists for Democratic Rights, Adewale Adeoye; a lawyer, Inibehe Effiong; Richard Akinola, and the National Coordinator of the Democratic Vanguard, Adeola Soetan.
In his welcome speech, HEDA Executive Secretary Sulaimon Arigbabu urged CSOs to “refrain from calling for the removal of the EFCC chair and instead provide constructive criticism to facilitate improvements in his administration”.
“This is an event to review the fight against corruption over the past eight years and make recommendations to key stakeholders, state and non-state actors, on approaches to ensure an effective and sustainable anti-corruption campaign,” he said.
government efforts
Highlighting the efforts of anti-corruption agencies, HEDA President Olanrewaju Suraju noted that the EFCC stands out as a case to study in the fight against corruption.
Citing recent developments, he said that the EFCC “obtained 2,220 convictions in 2021 and that in 2022, the agency secured 3,328 convictions in addition to confiscating N775 million and land linked to two former government officials; as well as the confiscation of 40 assets in Nigeria, the United States of America, London and Dubai, belonging to the former Vice President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu”.
It added that the Independent Commission for Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes (ICPC) also in 2022 secured a total of 672 convictions and that 565 investigations not led by petitions were successfully carried out. “The Commission also recovered 117 billion Naira as proceeds of crime during the period.”
The EFCC Chairman, who was represented by Lagos Zonal Commander Michael Wetkas, said the agency is always ready to partner with CSOs in the fight against corruption.
“CSOs have a responsibility to correct the image of Nigeria,” he said, “people should only bring to light compelling facts that are not motivated by emotions.”
Observations
The participants noted that Nigeria’s political system has worsened the fight against corruption in the country, adding that the impact of crime in the country has deprived ordinary citizens of access to basic services, as well as hampered development and growth. .
The panel also explained that corruption has deeply corroded the nation’s education system and that inadequate attention given to combating the threat at the state level has led to an increase in cases among governors and other politicians at the state level. .
They noted that “insufficient funding and inadequate well-being of anti-corruption agency staff have been demotivating, impeding progress in the fight against corruption.”
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They added that insufficient evidence, funding and technology available to anti-corruption agencies are causing slow progress in the war on corruption.
They concluded that the war against corruption requires the participation of all citizens.
recommendations
Participants recommended that to improve transparency, the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies should promote public disclosure of assets and that they should maintain websites that provide regular updates on their activities for greater accountability.
“To avoid giving corrupt politicians an advantage in court, anti-corruption agencies should refrain from publishing their next steps in the media.
“To curb corruption, the Code of Conduct Office should require politicians to declare their assets both before and after holding public office,” they said.
They suggested that the EFCC should stop auctioning and selling seized goods, and the Federal Government should create a new commission for this purpose.
CSOs have been protesting the dismissal of Mr. Bawa, the alleged politicization of the EFCC’s operations, the disobedience of court orders and the violation of human rights.
EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren claimed that the group protesting against Mr Bawa is sponsored by people under investigation.
However, stakeholders urged CSOs to remain committed to collaborating with anti-corruption agencies in the fight against corruption and should establish a committee to create a comprehensive movement and agenda for the new administration in the fight against corruption.