A group known as Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC) has vowed to help wipe out corruption from the system in Nigeria.
The vow was made at a one-day validation meeting in Lagos to Assess Nigeria's Anti-corruption compliance with United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in preparation for Nigeria's Country Review Mechanism, with support from British Council Anti-corruption Component.
Speaking on the objectives of the meeting, the National Secretary of ZCC, Mr. Babatunde Oluajo, noted that the validation meeting was aimed at assessing, reviewing and publishing the extent to which Nigeria's anti-corruption initiatives conforms to the provisions of the UNCAC.
He also stated that the views expressed at the validation meeting were aimed at engaging with the UNCAC review team for Nigeria in line with the earlier report on the UNCAC review process for Nigeria and the value of the CSO Report on Nigeria's Implementation of the UNCAC.
He noted that the review lays emphasis on criminalisation, enforcement and international cooperation as part of Nigeria's country review as provided for in the fourth year round of reviews under the UNCAC state parties review mechanism. Oluajo explained that at the end of the meeting, several observations and recommendations were made, which he noted, could serve as a remedy for tackling corruption in the country.
According to him, "The processes of prosecution of anti-corruption cases require a fast-track administration of justice system at both the trial and Appellate Courts. Also there is the need to make Anti-corruption agencies operational effective in every state and local government recognised in the Constitution.
"Apart from the various statements of government functionaries during swearing in ceremonies at both states and federal levels warning that acts of corruption will not be tolerated, it appears the statement is observed only in the breach. "Even basic administrative steps capable or reducing and minimising corruption particularly in the conduct of public affairs is yet to be put in place by the various governments," he added.
Continuing, he noted that "Most of the enabling statutes are not strong enough to act as service deterrents. This is especially so if the laws are placed side by side with specific measures under Article 12. "The absence of synergy between the different agencies has resulted in duplication of roles across the agencies and increases the bureaucracy involved in determining which crimes are punishable by them, or under which laws to charge the specific offence," he added. Speaking on the recommendations made, Oluajo said: "The laws should be infused with international character such as those of the foreign corrupt practices act and the UK Bribery Act to ensure there is no hiding place for criminals and their proceeds of crime whether or not they are physically present in those jurisdictions. "There is need to amend to Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to remove the immunity clause that prevents the prosecution of certain public officials while still in office.
"There is also need to amend Section 174 of the constitution to remove or limit the powers of the Attorney General to withdraw corruption related cases or fetter the powers of the specialised agencies assigned the task of prosecuting cases of corruption in Nigeria."
The vow was made at a one-day validation meeting in Lagos to Assess Nigeria's Anti-corruption compliance with United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in preparation for Nigeria's Country Review Mechanism, with support from British Council Anti-corruption Component.
Speaking on the objectives of the meeting, the National Secretary of ZCC, Mr. Babatunde Oluajo, noted that the validation meeting was aimed at assessing, reviewing and publishing the extent to which Nigeria's anti-corruption initiatives conforms to the provisions of the UNCAC.
He also stated that the views expressed at the validation meeting were aimed at engaging with the UNCAC review team for Nigeria in line with the earlier report on the UNCAC review process for Nigeria and the value of the CSO Report on Nigeria's Implementation of the UNCAC.
He noted that the review lays emphasis on criminalisation, enforcement and international cooperation as part of Nigeria's country review as provided for in the fourth year round of reviews under the UNCAC state parties review mechanism. Oluajo explained that at the end of the meeting, several observations and recommendations were made, which he noted, could serve as a remedy for tackling corruption in the country.
According to him, "The processes of prosecution of anti-corruption cases require a fast-track administration of justice system at both the trial and Appellate Courts. Also there is the need to make Anti-corruption agencies operational effective in every state and local government recognised in the Constitution.
"Apart from the various statements of government functionaries during swearing in ceremonies at both states and federal levels warning that acts of corruption will not be tolerated, it appears the statement is observed only in the breach. "Even basic administrative steps capable or reducing and minimising corruption particularly in the conduct of public affairs is yet to be put in place by the various governments," he added.
Continuing, he noted that "Most of the enabling statutes are not strong enough to act as service deterrents. This is especially so if the laws are placed side by side with specific measures under Article 12. "The absence of synergy between the different agencies has resulted in duplication of roles across the agencies and increases the bureaucracy involved in determining which crimes are punishable by them, or under which laws to charge the specific offence," he added. Speaking on the recommendations made, Oluajo said: "The laws should be infused with international character such as those of the foreign corrupt practices act and the UK Bribery Act to ensure there is no hiding place for criminals and their proceeds of crime whether or not they are physically present in those jurisdictions. "There is need to amend to Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to remove the immunity clause that prevents the prosecution of certain public officials while still in office.
"There is also need to amend Section 174 of the constitution to remove or limit the powers of the Attorney General to withdraw corruption related cases or fetter the powers of the specialised agencies assigned the task of prosecuting cases of corruption in Nigeria."
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