By Hajia Sani
Corruption is a global phenomenon, widely defined as the abuse of public office for private gain. It is a malaise that has contempt for due process and the rule of law, distorts the allocation of resources, undermines competition in the market place and has a devastating effect on investment, growth and development.
Essentially, corruption denies citizens, especially the poor, access to vital basic services and erodes public confidence in political institutions. To varying degrees, a few countries have successfully managed to keep corruption in-check but the phenomenon continues to be a serious challenge in all countries, particularly in developing ones.
According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index of 2002, Nigeria was ranked as the most corrupt country in the world. Although Nigeria contested the controversial rating, it however strengthened its existing anti-corruption machinery. In recognition of Nigeria’s anti-corruption crusade, it was ranked one hundred and thirtieth on the Transparency International’s 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index.
Nigeria instituted a comprehensive anti-corruption reform programme that emphasises fiscal, structural and institutional governance reforms, with the aim of improving transparency and tackling corruption. The reforms include the review of the public procurement process and institution of the due process mechanism in the award of public contracts.
It also involves the empowerment of a long list of anti-corruption agencies and establishments, like the Technical Unit on Governance & Anti-Corruption Reforms; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Bureau of Public Procurement; Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); Code of Conduct Bureau; Public Complaints Commission and the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, among others. While the large number of anti-corruption agencies and the increasing number of convictions secured have boosted awareness of the problem, it has not served as a deterrent.
An inter-agency task team of these anti-corruption agencies, set up in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), ensures collaboration and co-operation amongst the various agencies. In addition, Nigeria is a signatory to several international conventions including the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AU Convention) and ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight against Corruption. The country also works with several development partners including the Department for International Development (DFID), the World Bank, the European Union and several others.
Internally, the country has embarked on several legislations to strengthen and bridge the gaps in the implementation of its anti-corruption and due process crusade. The Freedom of Information Bill, the Non-Conviction Based Asset Forfeiture Bill and the Anti-Terrorism Bill are all pending before the National Assembly for passage into law.
Furthermore, a working group has been set up by the Ministry of Justice to draft a Witness Protection Bill in collaboration with other relevant agencies, to ensure protection for witnesses and Whistle-blowers.
Now that necessary legislations have been put in place, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the process takes roots and become a way of life. Government must also ensure that corrupt officials are brought to book to serve as deterrent to others.
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