For far too long, Africa has endured the severe effects of unchecked corruption, which significantly contributes to the continent's noticeable underdevelopment in various areas.
Corruption is widespread in Nigeria. Police forces and other law enforcement bodies are involved in it. It is also firmly established within the executive branch and the legislative body.
Frequently, public funds are redirected into private hands or spent on unnecessary projects without proper procedures and oversight.
Many instances of corruption face delays. The N33.2 billion fraud trial involving the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and others remains unresolved, ten years after it was initially submitted.
Following a 12-year trial, a former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, was acquitted of a N7.1 billion fraud case by the Supreme Court, which cited weak procedural reasons. The court ruled that the judge who issued the verdict had been appointed to the Court of Appeal and therefore could not preside over the High Court. Thus, the question remains: what became of the N7.1 billion that was embezzled? The planned retrial by the EFCC is caught in legal complexities.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari appropriately initiated the whistleblower policy designed to combat corruption. However, it has now lost momentum.
Even the voting system is being manipulated and tainted. Votes hold no significance. Furthermore, there has been no genuine effort to revise the electoral laws to enhance the process.
Although anti-corruption agencies are making every effort, they occasionally become instruments for retaliation against those seen as adversaries of the government. Disgracefully, numerous individuals deeply involved in corruption often have their wrongdoings overlooked once they become part of the ruling party.
Several prominent people imprisoned for corruption managed to regain their liberty. In 2022, Buhari granted amnesty to former governors of Plateau and Taraba states, Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, following a short period in prison for corruption.
Unfortunately, Nigeria's standing on Transparency International's annual Corruption Perception Index has been poor. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, it was placed 154, 150, and 145 out of 180 nations, respectively.
In the 2024 CPI, the nation saw a slight improvement, placing 140th among 180 countries with a score of 26 out of 100 – one point more than the 2023 score of 25. This remains significantly below the sub-Saharan average of 33 points and the global average of 43 points.
This has resulted in significant international reputation loss for the country. Nigerians are often regarded as fraudsters and criminals, with many experiencing humiliation at entry points in various nations.
In monetary terms, the loss is enormous. As per the African Development Bank, Africa suffers a loss of more than $587 billion each year due to corruption and illegal money transfers.
The head of Nigeria's House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, expressed sorrow over the fact that Nigeria suffers a loss of $18 billion each year due to procurement fraud, which amounts to 3.8 percent of its GDP.
At the eighth African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices Conference held in Abuja, Abbas stated that corruption hinders Africa's development.
It is accountable for the inadequate education and healthcare systems, along with underdeveloped infrastructure in Africa, specifically Nigeria. It undermines confidence in public institutions.
Most nations face challenges related to corruption. The variation lies in the approaches taken to address it. For instance, a nation such as Singapore does not hesitate to punish individuals engaged in any form of corrupt behavior. The country's first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, successfully brought corruption to a halt, and his influence continues to be felt today.
In China, individuals found guilty of corruption are often executed without delay. Recently, a Chinese court reportedly condemned 11 members of the Ming family to death for operating fraud centers in Myanmar. It is claimed that the center generated more than $1.4 billion through activities such as fraud, drug trafficking, gambling, and human exploitation.
From 2013 to 2016, more than a million officials in China faced disciplinary actions for corruption. Offenders included individuals at all levels, from junior staff to high-ranking ministers and business leaders.
Nigeria's advancement is hindered by the existing system that fails to promote openness. Combating corruption is essential for the nation's and the continent's economic growth and development.
Nations should allocate resources to advanced asset-monitoring technologies to enhance initiatives aimed at preventing corruption. According to Abbas, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital systems have been effective in reducing corruption in Estonia and South Korea.
While performing budget monitoring, he mentioned, AI could review thousands of pages within minutes and identify irregularities that would typically remain undetected. He recommended that African parliaments enhance financial monitoring and address budget leaks.
Measures should be taken to retrieve assets that have been hidden overseas.
Leaders need to demonstrate political commitment and build more robust institutional capabilities to fight corruption. Anti-corruption agencies and the judicial system must be reinforced to handle corruption cases in a timely, efficient, and impartial manner.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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