Participants at the 36th Anti-Corruption Situation Room in Abuja, organised by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), have called on the Federal Government to adopt more stringent measures in the fight against corruption to improve Nigeria’s poor global rating.
This appeal follows Nigeria’s recent anti-corruption rating of 25 percent, which is below global standards.
Attendees urged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate the courage and political will to combat favouritism, uphold the rule of law, and lead a moral crusade against corruption.
They emphasised that these steps are crucial for elevating Nigeria’s dignity, transparency, honesty, and respect on the global stage.
In his opening remarks, HEDA Resource Centre Chairman Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to combating corruption to save Nigeria from misery and underdevelopment.
“Corruption is a threat to prosperity and the greatest good of the greatest number. In Nigeria, it remains a cankerworm that stunts socio-economic growth, creates poverty, fuels instability, and leads to human misery,” said Suraju.
He acknowledged the efforts made by the Tinubu administration but stressed the need for a radical departure from past practices.
Professor Adele Jinadu, speaking at the event, warned that corruption undermines a nation’s fabric, hindering growth and prosperity.
A communiqué issued after the conference highlighted the inadequacy of Nigeria’s democratic institutions in resisting manipulation and undue influence from politically exposed persons. It noted that corruption is intertwined with electoral integrity, independent candidacy, voter empowerment, and the enforcement of the right to information.
The communiqué also highlighted the judiciary’s weaknesses, including being overburdened and plagued by delays, frivolous injunctions, and adjournments in corruption trials. It pointed out the disparity between the number of petitions received and convictions secured by anti-corruption agencies. In 2022, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) received 73,948 petitions, investigated 39,970 cases, charged 5,777 cases to court, and secured only 2,544 convictions.
Participants noted that sections of the constitution are often exploited by defendants to delay proceedings and hinder the timely dispensation of justice. They called for improvements in manpower training and technological capabilities within the judiciary and anti-corruption agencies to enhance performance.
The conference was held in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and supported by the MacArthur Foundation.
