Pervasive Corruption in Nigeria: a Holistic Approach

KIU Journal of Social Sciences

Pervasive Corruption in Nigeria: A Holistic Approach

S.M. ABDULMALIK Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria.

L.A. AYINLA University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract. “Our strange romance with corruption constitutes the major political agenda of began with the enthronement of a kleptomaniac President Mohammadu Buhari led Federal leadership at the exits of the military from our Government of Nigeria as manifested in his on- polity. The biggest mistake of the electorates is going fight against the malaise. To this end, this the sale of its franchise to greedy ruling elites paper therefore sets out to examine the varying who captured power and cornered our resources avalanches of corrupt practices by political and to the extent that it is now adept at the tricks of public office holders in Nigeria coupled with its self-perpetuation---We now have corruption attendant negative consequences with a view to sharing the spotlight with terrorism as our proffer workable and viable remedies to this biggest and most common problem. They are clog in wheel of the Nigeria progress. Emphasis like Siamese twins who have an embryonic will be placed on the on-going crusade, activities relationship”. Going by international rating as /actions of the Buhari led Federal Government regard corrupt practices, Nigeria has consistently of Nigeria in the fight against the menace. been rated as either the most corrupt or one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Keywords: Corruption, Pervasive Corruption, Corrupt Practices, Democracy and Nigeria. The foregoing submissions gives an insight as to the root cause of this endemic problem called “corruption” in Nigeria, the extent of its 1. Introduction germination, survival and development in our society such that it has totally permeated all When Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was president, aspects of our national life and has therefore his body language was the thermostat that eaten deep into our national fabric from socio- regulated the various agencies that prosecuted economic, political, academic, industrial, corruption. When he left, things fell apart partly religious, diplomatic and even commercial because his successor, Umaru Yar’Adua, had a fabric and in addition its attendant consequences different moral temperature. As for Jonathan, for on the generality of the Nigerians masses. It is the most part, he simply left the goats with therefore in view of the increasing and alarming yams. This corroborate the earlier assertion that rate of this menace that informed the idea to the root cause of the problem of corruption in write on this topical issue of corruption more Nigeria is the corrupt attitude of our political importantly when anti-corruption crusade leaders particularly the stance and the political

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KIU Journal of Social Sciences agenda of the man at the center. Thus, unfolding democratically elected President of Federal his political agenda during the inauguration of Republic of Nigeria on 29th May, 2015 was President Mohammad Buhari on the 29th May, greeted with many suggestions by opinion 2015, the president poised to fight the menace writers in Nigerian dailies, most of the and therefore posited thus: suggestions also border on probe and recovery “If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will of what past government officials have stolen, kill us, because the survival and continued and ensuring persons of proven integrity are put existence of the nation-state is hinged on the at the helm of affairs in the new government. In decapitation of hydra-headed monsters like this, tandem with the latter suggestion, President and its sister anomaly-insurgency” Mohammad Buhari said public officers will be Over three decades when President Mohammad required to declare their assets. Buhari left office as military head of state, his return as civilian President has continued to send In accomplishing his political manifesto, jitters down the spines of corrupt public officers, President Mohammad Buhari acceded to the owing to his well known zero tolerance for forgoing suggestions, hence the on-going probe corruption, hence among his political agendas is and trial of public office holders for various his on-going crusade against this political offences such as money laundering, monster. Just as we have resistance to the battle misappropriation of public funds and false against insurgency and militancy in North East declaration of assets being handles by Economic and South South parts of Nigeria, it is the Buhari and Financial Crime Commission, some of insistence on curbing corruption during his whom are currently standing criminal charges tenure as military head of state that led to his before different courts in Nigeria. Corruption dethronement in 1985, after about eighteen has become a cankerworm affecting the months in office and also because of his resolve economic life of the Nigerian masses, hence it is to put an end to this problem that further resulted associated with dire social, economic and to the on-going criticism by political opponents political implications on the survival of the against him for fighting this endemic problem. citizenry. Some of such negative effects include But the corruption vice has eaten deeply into the the act or attitude of the politicians and leaders fabric of the nation. That is why, with the benefit systematically eroding the economic strength of of hindsight and his appreciation of the the masses, making them indigent, the limitations of powers as a civilian president, impoverished masses seize any opportunity to Buhari’s second opportunity to wrestle the grab the crumbs they offer, because survival and monster must be complete and unencumbered by subsistence under economic hardship has dulled the political subterfuge of opposing forces. their resistance among others negative effects of corruption. Although there is no gainsaying the fact that preceding governments in the past have also It is against this backdrop that President taken steps to combat this endemic problem of Mohammad Buhari Civilian led administrations corruption in form of probes, using of task is poised at weeding and rid off of the Nigerian forces to recover government property in which society of this disturbing political monster as case some people were caught, tried, indicted manifested in his actions, activities and public and thrown into jails, but notwithstanding these utterances since the inauguration of his actions, the menace not only that it persisted but presidency. Substantiating this stance, the actually thrived amidst legal machineries put in President while hosting members of the place by the government, hence solving this Diplomatic Corps to a cocktail at the ugly trend should not be a rocket science but Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday 18th rather looking for a handle on the causes of the February, 2016 said as follows: problem will pave way for solving the problem “We are resolved to build a stable and easily. It is therefore in view of disturbing trend prosperous Nigeria, a country that is inclusive of corruption in Nigeria that the inauguration of of all its diverse peoples and a country that is President Mohammed Buhari as the at ease with itself. Building such a country will

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KIU Journal of Social Sciences not be possible where corruption is pervasive. I shall be persons of proven integrity and of will leave no stone unturned in the efforts to rid unimpeachable character without blemish. Nigeria of corruption. I must, however, add that in doing this, we shall operate within the ambit 2. The Definition and Meaning of of the law. In a similar fight in the past and Corruption armed with the might of military muscle, I led a Corrupt practices are manifested in various government that required persons presumed to forms and therefore multi-faceted in character be corrupt to prove their innocence. Today, as involving all stakeholders in governance and committed democrats and in a culture of private sector inclusive having negative and deepening democracy, we respect the law that multiplier effects on our socio-economic and presumes all persons innocent until they are political life, hence the three organs of proven to be guilty”. government, the private sector as well as the In accomplishing this laudable objective, the civil society in general are involved in the act of President set up a Presidential Advisory corruption. It is therefore as a result of this Committee on Anti-corruption chaired by multidimensional manifestations of this monster Professor Itse Sagay. The committee that informed writers on this subject to assert recommended that there should be in existence that corruption like any other terms, legal, special court to try only corruption cases for social, political or otherwise has no universally speedy administration of justice considering the acceptable and all embracing definition, hence fact that justice is not only being delayed in the definition ascribable to the term depends largely regular courts but also that same is not even on the perspective and understanding of being achieved by that courts, hence rendering individual scholar on the subject. For this the legal machineries in place to toothless purpose therefore, a view of such definitions bulldogs. The reason is not far-fetched being will be offered in this paper from the available predicated also on same monster by members of literatures on the issue. Thus, Richard Amaechi the Bench. Underscoring the dismal level of Onuigbo & Or quoting Nye Neidenheimer, 1970 corruption in Nigeria in particular in the judicial defined the term as behavior, which deviates arm of government, the learned author submitted from the normal duties of a public role because that it is the politicians that corrupted the of private relationship. This according to this judiciary especially after the 2015 general scholar includes such behavior as bribery, i.e., election. The learned writer made this use of reward to prevent the judgment of a submission while reacting to the allegations by person in a position of trust; nepotism, meaning two Supreme Court Justices, who are under bestowal of patronage by reason of inscriptive probe, that the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi relationship rather than merit; and Amaechi, attempted to comprise their judgments misappropriation i.e., illegal appropriation of on election petitions. The Judges, Justice public fund for private-regarding uses. Sylvester Ngwuta and Justice Iyang Okoro who Consequently, the political administrative were arrested by the officials of DSS for scholars further defined corruption by allegedly been in possession of huge sums of acknowledging the definition offered by Car money and incriminating documents having Friedrich Heidenheimer, 1970 as follows; been found in their houses. Weeks after their corruption can be said to exist whenever a arrest, the two judges accused Amaechi of being power-holder who is charged with doing certain behind their predicament. Be that as it may, things i.e., who is a responsible functionary or Sagay responded saying that the allegations of officeholder is, by monetary or other rewards the judges are afterthought. Describing the level not legally provided for, induced to take actions at which corruption has place this institution in which favours whoever provides the reward and the country, Sagay said corruption has brought thereby does damage to the public and its this great institution, the judiciary to its knees interests. Still on the same vein, the concept was after the 2015 elections. Thus, to avoid the also defined as acts or transactions including pitfall of the existing system, it is recommended bribery, fraud such as inflation of contract sums that Benchers that will preside on such court by public officers; unauthorized variation of

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KIU Journal of Social Sciences contracts; payment for jobs not executed; looted the nation’s treasury during the payment of ghost workers; overpayment of administration of former President Goodluck salaries and allowances to staff; diversion of Ebele Jonathan appeared highly unprecedented government revenue by public officials; and worrisome. The development got to an ugly deliberate irregularities in the management of trend such that cases of misappropriation of accounting procedure. It is also defined as an public funds filled pages of Nigerian dailies arrangement that involves an exchange between almost on daily basis. In this paper therefore, two parties i.e., the demander and supplier recourse shall be heard to some of these corrupt which (1) has an influence on the allocation of practices perpetrated by overzealous political resources either immediately or in the future; and public officers during the Goodluck and (2) involves the use or abuse of public or Jonathan administration. collective responsibility for private ends. Corruption is further described as an abuse of Chief among cases of corrupt practices during authority or trust for private benefit and also a the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan was temptation indulged in not only by public the arms deals case in which the former National officials but also by those in positions of trust or Security Adviser (NSA) to the former President authority in private enterprises or non-profit Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki was at the centre stage organizations. Corruption also involves technically captioned “Dasuki Gate” alleged to behaviours on the part of the officials in the have siphoned $2.2 Billion by the award of public sector, whether politicians or civil unauthorized contracts from the money budgeted servants, in which they improperly and to purchase arms and ammunitions to fight unlawfully enrich themselves or those close to insurgency in the North East Nigeria. Although, them, by the misuse of the public power investigations by the Economic and Financial entrusted to them. Finally, the concept is also Crimes Commission revealed the facts that defined as including bribery, fraud and other others political and public office holders were related offences. also involved in the arms deals. Particularizing Finally on the definition and meaning of the manners by which the arms deals money was corruption, it is thus submitted considering the siphoned, it has been revealed by the examination of the various definitions as investigations conducted by the Anti-graft identified above that the scope of corruption is Agency - the Economic and Financial Crime elastic and therefore there is no universally Commission (EFCC) that Ex-Minister of State acceptable definition of the concept and it is on for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro confessed to the the basis of this that corruption can be classified agency that he collected the whooping sum of in to three basic types namely: #4.745billion from the former National Security (a) Collusive corruption involving planned Adviser (NSA) to the former President, Dr cooperation of the giver and receiver Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki. (b) Extraordinary corruption involving During interrogation by the Agency, the Ex- forced extraction of bribes and other Minister gave the details of how the sum was favours from vulnerable victims by expended in the following manners: those in authority. (c) Anticipatory corruption which occurs --That the sum of #2.23billion was alledgely when bribe or gift is offered in transferred to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti anticipation of favour from the recipient State out of #4.745billion; of the gift to the giver of the gift. --#60million was converted to $5,377,000 to Governor Ayodele Fayose in cash and 3. Catalogues of Corrupt Practices #1.3billion was received by the Governor’s under President Goodluck Ebele associate, Mr Abiodun Agbele; Jonathan led Democractic -#1.3billion was flown to Akure Airport in two Government chartered flights for delivery to Agbele Undoubtedly, the level at which political office --#759,384,300 changed into Dollars through holders as well as public servants in general Bureau-De-Change Firms

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-#160million was used to purchase cars through nomination convention delegates. Col. Adegbe Balmoral International Limited was detained by the Economic and Financial #1,219,490,000 was ferried by Obanikoro in two Crimes Commission (EFCC), which was at that flights to a branch of Zenith Bank at plot 13, time on the trail of another key aid to the former Alagbaka Estate, Akure to evacuate the cash and President, Waripamowei Dudafa, former Special received by Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele Assistant on Domestic Affairs to the said former -#2billion allegedly withdrawn by Obanikoro President. Going by the investigations conducted and his two children in cash. The ex-minister by the detectives of EFCC as reported in the was at the time of writing this paper still under pages of dailies, it was revealed that Adegbe and the custody of the EFCC having been detained Dadufa collected the cash valued $47m and for the alledged misappropriation of arms deal some Euros from the office of the National money. Security Adviser (ONSA), Sambo Dasuki. The money was diverted by ONSA from a Signature Underscoring the dismal level at which Bonus Account in the Central Bank of Nigeria corruption has permeated in to the fabric of our (CBN). society, evidence was given before the Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice According to the EFCC’s investigations, the Nnamdi Dimgba by Mr. Alade Sunday, a N10billion is believed to have been diverted manager at Zenith Bank on how Obanikoro from oil receipts as follows: USD5.0M looted the nation’s treasury having siphoned and (November 14, 2014); $47m(November 27, delivered about #1.219Bn to Fayose’s aid, 2014); Euro 4.0M (December 3, 2014) and Euro Abiodun Agbele for onward transmission to his 1.6M (December 24, 2014). The diverted money boss. The witness went further that it took the was used to bribe or settle PDP delegates to cashiers about 10 days to count the money. adopt ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for second term. The N10 billion was taken from the Furthermore, Dasuki has been arraigned before Signature Bonus Account (oil block account) the court and has been granted bail but still in with CBN. Particularizing the manners of prison custody due to the executive fiat amidst withdrawal of the diverted sum, the CBN in meeting the bail conditions. President response to the EFCC’s letter referenced and Mohammad Buhari is poised not to free Dasuki dated as EFCC/EC/CBN/12/163 21st September based on his contention that he committed a 2015 to the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria serious offence. The alleged misappropriation of avers as follows: arms deal money by Dasuki has also been linked “The N10billion constitutes two tranches of to the erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan, N5.08billion, each debited to the CBN/OAGF through whose authority and approval he SIGNATURE BONUS CCOUNT NO 400225220 released the money in piece-meal and diverted vide OAGF memo Ref: FD/LP2015/1/28 DF to same to the purpose for which the money was the office of the National Security Adviser A/C not meant for. On Dasuki Gate, Former Number 20172241019 with the CBN, Abuja and President Goodluck Jonathan has therefore the second one was for credit into the account of agreed to testify before the court in defence of National Security Adviser Account Number the alleged offence against Dasuki. In defence of 1014199287 with Zenith Bank Plc Wuse II Dasuki, the former President avers as follows: Abuja. “We bought warships, we bought aircraft, The transactions were consummated on and we bought lots of weapons for the army. It is November 10, 2014. The mandate that not possible that he stole $2.1billion”. authorized the withdrawal of USD 47.0M was Furthermore, it was also revealed by the from the office of National Security Adviser Nigerian dailies that the ex-Aide-De-Camp (ONSA) with Ref: NSA/366/S dated November (ADC) to the former President Goodluck 26th, 2014. The mandate was processed for Jonathan, Colonel Ojogbane Adegbe had been dollar cash payment to Mr. S.A. Saliu on alleged of the disbursing more than N10 billion November 27th, 2014. oil proceeds to People Democratic Party (PDP)

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The USD 5.0M was via a memo from ONSA Consequently, it was also reported that the memo REF; ACCT/86/VOL.2/218 dated Economic and Financial Crime Commission November 13th, 2014. The National Security (EFCC) investigators discovered that about Adviser Account Number 20172241019 was N4billion was channeled through the account debited and Dollar cash payment was made to which former Finance Minister (Mrs Nenadi Mr. Wambai Ibrahim on November 14th, 2014 in Usman) operated for campaign funds purposes. line with the mandate. The account according to the newspaper report The Euro 4.0M and Euro 1.6M transactions was titled “Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria were via mandate from ONSA memo REF: Limited” in which the substantial part of the NASS/366/S dated November 26th, 2014. The funds was disbursed to the People Democratic NSA’s Account Number 20172241019 was Party (PDP) chieftains ahead of the 2015 general debited and Euro cash payment effected as election. The sum of $400,000 collected by the follows: Euro 4.0M on December 3rd 2014 and said minister was meant to bribe electoral Euro 1.6M was on December 24th, 2014. These officers for the purpose of altering the results of sums were released to Mr. S.A. Saliu as the presidential election from Yobe, Borno, stipulated in the mandate. Attached are the Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe and Kano States. copies of relevant documents please.” Regrettably, the said minister diverted the sum into personal commitments instead of using Testifying to the scams deal, ex-NSA, Col. same to allegedly bribe officials of Independent Sambo Dasuki said the over N10billion was National Electoral Commission (INEC) to given to the ADC and Dudafa. The accused falsify the results. testified further thus: “I am aware in November, I cannot Particularizing the alleged bribery, it was further remember the exact date. My office requested reported that the EFCC arrested the Resident the CBN to exchange N10billion from the Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the account of the office of National Security Independent National Electoral Commissioner Adviser domiciled in CBN. The money was (INEC) in Cross River State, Gesila Khan and exchanged and $47m and some Euros which I four others over a N650.9million 2015 bribery cannot remember the exact amount was scandal. The other suspects and the cash against delivered at my residence. The money was for their names are Fidelia Omoile (Electoral delegates that attended the nomination Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area convention. The money was paid and sent to of Delta State) N112, 480, 000; Uluochi Obi Honourable Dadufa (SSAP Household) ADC Brown (INEC’s Administrative Secretary in (C-I-C) for distribution on the instruction of the Delta State)-N111, 500, 000; a former Deputy President. …….” Director of INEC in Cross River State, Edem Okon Effanga-N241, 127, 000 and the Head of It was also learnt that former President Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin (Mr Azibaola Immaculata Asuquo-N241, 127, 000. In Roberts) was alleged to have been involved in addendum, many INEC staff and ad-hoc workers Dasuki’s arm deal having obtained the sum of got enmeshed in the bribery scandal. Still on the $40million (N12.7B) from the Office of same vein, over 100 electoral officials have also National Security Adviser (ONSA). The said been penciled down by the Economic and President’s cousin was arrested in connection Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to face with the purported payment of the sum of $ criminal charge before the court for allegedly 40million by ONSA for the purported contract receiving part of the $115m (#23bn) disbursed which was tagged as purchase of tactical by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, equipment for Special Forces but which was Diezani Alison-Madueke, during the countdown actually utilized to pacify militants in the Niger to the 2015 presidential election. Delta. Finally on Dasukigate, investigations on the arms deal scam have it that 10 top Nigerians Other notable corrupt practices perpetrated by were involved in the deal. overzealous Nigerians public office holders

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KIU Journal of Social Sciences during the regime of former President Goodluck lasting solutions to this problem, we therefore Jonathan include #195 billion Maina Pension need to understand the nature or characteristics Scam for which no punishment was melted on of corruption and what fertilizes it. On the basis him; kerosene subsidy scam, also the of this premises and subscribing to Momoh’s government then did nothing to those involved views, the following suggestions are hereby in the scam; $6billion Fuel Subsidy Scam for recommended. which those involved were charged to court, though the cases on the deal have not been Firstly, there is the need to convene a National determined; 123billion naira-Stephen Oronsaye- Conference in the form and format of a truth no action was taken by the government in commission to bring together public officers of respect of the matter; police pension fund fraud- the ranks of President, Vice-President, the accused was convicted and accordingly Governors, Deputy-Governors, Ministers, sentenced to two years imprisonment or Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries, #750,000 fine but paid #750,000 fine; stella Local-Government Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, oduah car purchase scandal-no punishment to Directors of Local-Government, Heads of other that effect; NNPC missing $20billion naira-the Government Agencies and Parastatals, government of Jonathan instead of allowing the leadership of National and State Assemblies, the law to take its course against the perpetrators Judiciary, Government Contractors both local fired the then Governor of Central Bank, Sanusi and foreign, private sectors collaborators Lamido Sanusi who disclosed the missing including but not limited to their friends and money to the government. Although, the Federal families to come to say something before the Government ordered an Audit of the NNPC and commission with a view to finding lasting the audit report indicts NNPC and the solutions to the problems of Nigeria including corporation was directed to refund $1.48billion. the menace of corruption.

4. Conclusions Such truth and reconciliation commission is often held in situations where people fought It is apparent from the foregoing discussion that bloody wars or where people have suffered corruption does not only exist in Nigeria but has persecution and oppression for a long time. fertilized, reproduced, developed, germinated, These are not the situations in Nigeria but rather survived, multiplied and indeed thriving in the case of our country, there is an agonizing prosperously having manifested and still poverty, bleaking of the future of the Nigerian manifesting itself in all spheres of the country’s children, being leaders of tomorrow, who have social, political, economic, religious, been made to live without employment, the educational, military, business and otherwise. displaced people and victims of insecurity Additionally too, this paper has also x-rayed the (insurgency, kidnapping, armed robbery, attendant consequences of this monster in trafficking in persons, prostitution etc) are all particular increasing the poverty level of the consequences of corruption being worst than downtrodden masses and hindering the country’s genocide. If the conference is sincerely, economic growth and development. transparently and motive driving in character, will undoubtedly make us to tell the bitter truth 5. Recommendations to ourselves and it would serve as a strong signal that we are willing to unearth the stinking body Although, a lot of suggestions have been offered of corruption for everybody to see. Also, it will on how to curb this problem especially since the be a strong signal that whatever you do now, inauguration of the President Mohammad Buhari you will be called to account someday. The led democratic government but none of these outcome of the conference will be to give some recommendations is deep enough as to people amnesty after they return part of their rip- completely uproot the ghost of corruption and off back to the state and if possible rehabilitated the danger that corruption poses to our corporate to join the building of a new Nigeria. existence. Thus, to be able to find viable and

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Consequently, our educational curriculum from structures in the current judicial system thereby the pre-tertiary institutions to the university level coming up with more innovative ways to tackle should include teaching of a course designed to the pervasive corruption in the country’s polity. educate, enlighten and purged off our children from the scourge of corruption. This teaching The above suggestions made by Momoh are and training of anti-corruption course should not considered lofty and laudable, yet he did not be limited to our educational institutions alone advert his mind to the machineries and modus but should extend to religious organizations, operandi for the execution and implementations ethno-social groups, trade associations among of the recommendations, hence, this paper others. Among things to be taught in the anti- suggests the setting up of a body in the form of corruption course is that people should be able task force that will be responsible primarily for to explain the source of the money they have; the implementation of the recommendations they must also realize that income illegally proffered above. This is partly because similar acquired harm others and deprive people a vital conferences had earlier been convened in the resource to develop their lives, families and their past where numerous issues militating against communities. the progress of the Nigerian society were identified and extensively discussed and the way Thirdly, this paper also recommends the forward were offered to fill the gaps. proposal conceived, mooted and initiated by the Unfortunately, the communiqués issued at the Professor Itse Sagay- led Presidential Advisory end of the conferences did not see the light of Committee against Corruption proposing the the day. Thus, to avoid the pitfalls of the past, it establishment of special anti-corruption court to is our considered position that the foregoing try serious crimes, including corruption cases. suggestions should not merely be on paper but The proposed bill is titled “An Act to provide for rather should manifestly be seen to have been the establishment of a Special Crimes Court as fully implemented to the letter. a superior court of record to allow for speedy trials of certain offences, including economic Finally, taking proactive steps to accomplish the and financial crimes, terrorism, money above recommendations will undoubtedly laundering and corruption offences and for portray Nigeria before the international related matters”. community as a serious nation striving hard to get rid of corruption to salvage the already The motive behind the proposed bill is to ensure battered image of the country to achieve a speedy trials of the offences as indicated in its corrupt free nation. title as stated above. It is contended in this paper that it is not enough to have a special court to References trial corruption cases as problems associated with regular courts will still affect the proposed Rev. Chris Okotie’s in “Corruption as Crime court. Such pitfalls include among others the Against Humanity” quoted by Ochei pervasive corruption in the judiciary and the Akhigbe, “Killing Corruption before it slow pace of trial not been only attributed to the kills us” Saturday, October 31st , 2015 p. courts alone but also due the abuse of legal 10. system by counsels seeking frivolous reliefs to Transparency International Assessment Report pervert the course of justice. Thus to avoid the on corruption retrieved repeat of these inadequacies with the proposed www.transparency.org/cpi2016, 3rd court, it is therefore suggested that judges that February, 2017. will man such court should be people of probity Tola Ogunnubi, “Still on fighting corruption” and of high level of integrity who must have The Nation Friday, February 12th , 2016 purged themselves from any act of corrupt p. 17. practices. This paper further proposes Abimbola Adelakun, Punch Newspaper, collaborative efforts between the executive and September 24th, 2015, quoted by the judiciary by decisively addressing the Akhigbe.

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Momoh Obaro, “How Buhari can Curb The Daily Sun Ibid at p. 1, 5 & 9 captioned Corruption” , The Nation Friday, May “Why Dasuki, Kanu Won’t be Free 8th , 2015 p.21. Momoh is a UK based Now”. Governance, Capacity building and The Nation Newspaper of Monday, December Information Technology Specialist. 14th 2015 at p. 1 captioned “Dasuki: I The declaration of assets of President was acting on Jonathan’s Instructions”. Mohammadu Buhari and Vice-President Vanguard Newspaper of Thursday 3rd Professor Yemi Osinbajo, retrieved on November, 2016 captioned www.vanguardngr.com-news,3rd “Dasukigate: Goodluck Jonathan Ready February, 2017. to Appear in Court”. Buhari, “I will leave no stone unturned fighting “Jonathan’s ADC in Trouble Over N10b For corruption” Nigerian Tribune, Friday, PDP Chief, EFCC Traces How Oil 19th February, 2016 p. 12. Money was Diverted”, The Nation, Professor Iste Sagay (SAN) in the Punch Friday, February 12th, 2016 @ p. 1& 6. Newspaper of Friday, November 11th The Nation Newspaper of Monday, December 2016 at p. 7 captioned “Opposition 14th 2015 at p. 1 captioned “Dasuki: I Leaders in Rivers, A’Ibom corrupted was acting on Jonathan’s Instructions”. judiciary-Sagay”. The Nation Newspaper on “EFCC Probes N4b Richard Amaechi Onuigbo & Eme Okechukwu Deposits in Ex-Minister Account” Innocent, “Analysis of Legal Monday, April 25th, 2016 p.1-6. Framework For Fighting Corruption in “Arms Deal Saga: Top 10 People who have Nigeria: Problems and Challenges”, been Implicated” retrieved Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of https://www.naij.com/665081-arms Business and Management Review, Vol. deal-saga-top-10-prominent-people- 5, No.3, November, 2015 p.4 accessed implicated-responses.html. Accessed on www.http://www.arabianjbmr.com/pdfs/ thursday 3rd November, 2016. kd vol.53/1bdf retrived 23rd June, The Punch News of Wednesday, November 30th, 2016. 2016 at p. 7 captioned “ #23bn Diezani ICPC Act (2000). Bribe: EFCC to charge 100 electoral The Nigerian Tribune, Thursday, 19th officials”. November, 2015 p. 1 & 8 captioned “N Momoh Obaro, “How Buhari can Curb 2.9BN Arms Deals, I’m Ready for Trial, Corruption”, The Nation Newspaper of I have a lot to tell Nigerians-Dasuki”. Friday, May 8th , 2015 at p. 21. The Nation Newspaper of 18th October, 2016 P.1 Captioned “Details of How Ex-Minister Spent #4.745billion”. The Punch Newspaper of Wednesday, November 30th, 2016 at p. 9 captioned “#4.7bn: Obanikoro returns #134m to EFCC; Say I Will Repay #450m in 2017”. The Daily Sun of Thursday 31st December, 2015 at p.9 captioned “Arms Deal: DSS holds on to Ex-NSA, Dasuki”.

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