DAVID ADENEKAN writes on the anti-graft war in Nigeria and how the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has through some deployed strategies, been changing the tide for the better.
If there is any concrete solution to the plethora of problems confronting the economic and general growth of Nigeria, it is the eradication of corruption. Although, like the crime that it is, it cannot be totally wiped out, a reduction of it to the barest minimum will go a long way in helping the society grow and making life better for all. This is so because, to a reasonable extent, the poor leadership that has often been blamed for the poor or non-existent level of development of the country is an allusion to the high level of corruption those at the leadership cadre of the country are found to be culpable of. This is, however, not to say that corruption is the exclusive of the leadership. The scourge has permeated the society such that the so called followers are equally guilty of the same crime, but at a different level.
An idea of the level of corruption in the society is captured in the figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics indicating that a whopping N721bn was received as bribe by Nigerian public officials in 2023.
The report reads in part: “According to the 2023 survey, the average cash bribe paid was 8,284 Nigerian Naira.
“While the nominal average cash bribe size increased since 2019 (from NGN 5,754), this does not account for inflation. The inflation-adjusted average cash bribe in 2023 was 29 per cent smaller than in 2019 in terms of what could be bought with the money.
“Overall, it is estimated that a total of roughly NGN 721 billion (US$1.26 billion) was paid in cash bribes to public officials in Nigeria in 2023, corresponding to 0.35 per cent of the entire Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria.”
Much as anyone may be amazed at the level of corruption as shown in the statistics, it would not be wrong to say that the National Bureau of Statistics is obviously not saying anything new. The history of gross corruption has been with Nigerians over the years and so much has been mouthed about efforts to curb the menace. Reason, therefore, that former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, decided to set up the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Following the EFCC Establishment Act which was first enacted in 2002, the anti-graft agency came into existence in 2003, and was saddled with the responsibility of investigating financial crimes such as advance fee fraud, otherwise referred to as 419, and money laundering among others. The agency has been headed at different times by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Farida Waziri; Ibrahim Lamorde Ibrahim Magu and Abudrasheed Bawa before the present chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 12, 2023.
Given the expected effective discharge of its duties, the Nigerian society is supposed to have been, to a reasonable extent rescued from the grip of the corruption that has continued to underdevelop the nation. But has that target for which the agency been set up been adequately met? No! Much as several feats have been achieved and individuals, organisations, public and political office holders have been held, prosecuted, jailed and shamed over corrupt practices, it definitely cannot be said to be “uhuru” yet. It is perhaps in apparent consciousness of this fact that the current chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has taken up the challenge to make a difference, with some of his actions which are hinged on well-defined strategies, are actually showing good promise.
Unveiling his strategies in the fight against corruption, for example, at the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference and Annual General Meeting of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa, held in Accra, Ghana, on Monday, May 6, 2024, Olukoyede spoke about a holistic approach, integrating preventive measures, technological innovations, and international collaboration. In his presentation titled, “EFCC Anti-Corruption Drive: Changing the Narrative,” he highlighted EFCC’s preventive initiatives, including Anti-Corruption Clubs in Schools and Faith-Based Approaches, along with measures targeting economic stability such as combating forex malpractices. He also spoke about the important role of technology, citing tools like the Eagle Eye App for whistleblowing and the Commission’s Forensic Laboratory. Olukoyede gladly announced at the occasion, the efficacy of the strategies of the agency under his leadership and the remarkable fruits they had yield barely six months of his leadership.
Olukoyede’s leadership has seen the EFCC becoming quite active and hell bent on nipping corruption in the bud. One thing that has become apparent about him is the emphasis on the need for the people of the country to fight the battle and not leave it alone for the anti-graft agency. In this instance, his call for effective use of whistle blowing is unmistakable. Leading the road walk by the staff of the EFCC on the occasion of the Africa Anti-Corruption Day in Abuja on July 11, he described whistle-blowing as a very good tool.
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His words: “Aside terrorism, corruption ranks as the next deadliest affliction of humanity in every region of the world.
“In view of the danger and threat to our existence which corruption represents, it is imperative that individuals, communities, corporate bodies and indeed the whole world join hands to tackle it frontally.
“There is need for commitment, passion, consistence and credibility of intelligence. Every whistle blown must point towards truth and evidential proofs.”
“One way of doing this is through the whistle-blowing initiative”.
Expressing the need for commitment to the battle, he added, “We cannot win the war against corruption through lip service, emotional outburst or mere mob campaigns.
“There is need for commitment, passion, consistence and credibility of intelligence. Every whistle blown must point towards truth and evidential proofs.”
Also seizing the opportunity of the visit of representatives of the National Associateion of Nigerian Students, NANS, to the EFCC’s headquarters, Abuja, on a solidarity visit, on Monday, July 8, Olukoyode urged students to join forces with the agency to ensure a brighter future for them.
“It is a collective responsibility to fight corruption in Nigeria. EFCC will not relent, I promise you that whatever it is going to cost us to fight this fight we will fight it. As Nigerian Students, you have a future and it is our responsibility to protect you to ensure that you successfully run through your educational system and pass out and get a good job,” he said.
He also spoke on the need to hold people, especially leaders, accountable for whatever they do, saying that would ensure a better society.
Said he: “There is nothing personal about it; what we are saying is we must be able to hold people accountable. If you have spent eight years, four years, even if it is one year, by the time you come out, the position you are holding is a position of trust on behalf of all Nigerians. So, what we are simply saying is that when you finish, come, we want you to explain how you spent our common wealth while you were in the office.”
If the gestures, postulations, declarations and actions of the EFCC under the new leadership is anything to go by, Nigeria is definitely wont to achieve good results in the fight against corruption in the years ahead. Olukoyede’s commitment, as seen so far, appears very strong and driven by the need to kill corruption before it kills Nigerians. Remember he said that much recently. According to him, “Aside terrorism, corruption ranks as the next deadliest affliction of humanity in every region of the world.
“In view of the danger and threat to our existence which corruption represents, it is imperative that individuals, communities, corporate bodies and indeed the whole world join hands to tackle it frontally.”
