Ridding a corrupt country like Nigeria of corruption will take a little while, but it has to start from somewhere and by someone. Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries. It undermines democratic institutions, slows down economic development and contributes to governmental instability. Corruption attacks the foundations of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes and conducts, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmires whose only reason for existing is for soliciting bribes. Economic progress is stunted because foreign direct investment is discouraged and small businesses within the country often find it impossible to overcome the “start-up costs” required because of corruption. Corruption threatens our national security and gives rise to a safe haven for terrorist. This is the scenario we find ourselves as a nation. It was on the ground of ridding the country of corruption that President Buhari came into power. And since his ascension to the highest position in the land, his greatest efforts and strength have been channeled to defeating the Boko Haram insurgency and fighting against corruption. Both efforts seem to be yielding results, as to some extent, one can say that the Boko Haram insurgency has been incapacitated even though not completely defeated while the fight against corruption is just but taking shape. Nevertheless, corruption is a symptom of deep-seated and fundamental economic, political and institutional weaknesses of a country. The fight against corruption will be effective, when measures against it address the underlying causes and not just the symptoms. President Buhari must move beyond the fighting against corruption, and build lasting institutions that will live on after he is out of office. Emphasis must not just be placed on fighting corruption but also be placed on preventing corruption by tackling the root causes that give rise to it through undertaking economic, political and institutional reforms. The Treasure Single Account (TSA) is a valuable initiative, but it is just one of the many initiatives needed to prevent corruption. Anti-corruption enforcement measures such as oversight bodies, a strengthened police force, more efficient laws and reliable law courts amongst others, are needed to genuinely curb and prevent corruption. This is because corruption and institutional weaknesses are linked together and they feed on each other. So, getting rid of corruption helps a country to overcome other institutional weaknesses, just as reducing other institutional weaknesses helps to curb corruption. One of the fights against corruption since the inception of this administration has been the thorough investigation into how the funds meant for arms procurement were spent and those involved in the spending. Quite a number of people have been arrested in connection to the illegal spending of the arms procurement fund and the “latest man” on the roll is the spokesman of the opposition party, Chief Olisa Metuh. Olisa Metuh is the current spokesman of the onetime biggest political party in Nigeria and in Africa at large. He was not so vocal a spokesman; he was not even vocal enough as his counterpart, Lai Mohammed, when he was the spokesman of the then opposition party. Nonetheless, one thing is sure; he defended his party to the last and spoke always positively about his party. And to him, there was no time his party was wrong. Unfortunately for him, officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, stormed his Abuja home, took him away to their custody and since then, his life has never remained the same. He was remanded in Kuje Prison by an order of a Federal High Court in Abuja with respect to charges of money laundering involving N400m, part of money meant for procurement of arms, which he collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014. He was later produced in court by prison officials and was granted bail to the sum of N400m as bail bond. Not too bad of a bail condition! But you see, you need not have to run when nothing and no one is pursuing you, and fear no guilt if your hands are clean. But for Metuh, while in the custody of the EFCC, he was alleged to have destroyed the evidence against him and again, re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, which ordered that he be remanded over two counts of destruction of evidence and mischief preferred against him by the EFCC. And on Friday, 22nd January, 2016, for the second time in just two days, he was granted bail in the sum of N300m with two sureties in like sum. The total bail sum now N600m. Putting the two bail conditions together, the spokesperson of the People`s Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, will need a total of N1 billion to secure is bail from Kuje prison while his case continues. Pathetically, now that the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of his party, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, had said that it would be wrong for anyone to be expecting the party to provide sureties for Metuh when the party did not benefit from the money he allegedly collected from the former National Security Adviser, Lt Col. Sabo Dasuki (retd.). It means Olisa Metuh is on his own and has a long way to go. But to me, it seems his journey has not even started. The point is, will Olisa risk getting his bail with a bond of N1 billion when it`s not even sure of winning the case? Would it be better he stays in Kuje and seek for a speedy hearing of his case so his fate can be quickly decided? Well, whatsoever happens to Metuh, and those involved in the arms procurement scandal should teach the rest of us that power is transient and the greatest gift a true leader can give to his people is selfless leadership, that is devoid of greed and wickedness. Less than a month in Nigerian prison, Olisa has grown older than what he`d be in 5 years time. He has grown grey beards and not really looking like the Metuh we used to know- looking skinny and perhaps already experiencing the other part of the world. Before now; the evil that men do live after them, but now the evil they do live with them. Those that are standing with Metuh should better stand right with him with all their might. Else, he becomes Methuselah in Nigerian prison. God Bless Nigeria. . Ogundana Michael Rotimi is a Nigerian Biochemist, Socio-economic and Political Commentator, and Public Speaker. He tweets @MickeySunny. [myad]
Following the outbreak of Lassa fever in some parts of Nigeria, no fewer the Lagos State chapter of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria have killed no fewer than 4,400 rats at six major markets in the state under its de-rat market programme. The President of the Association, Samuel Akingbehin, told the News Agency of Nigeria that his association carried out the exercise at Onigongbo, Oshodi, Oke-Odo, Ikotun Idanwo, Ojuwoye and Mile 12 Markets. Akingbehin said that de-rating the markets was part of the association’s efforts to curb the spread of Lassa fever in the state, adding: “the exercise is strategic in our effort toward the prevention of communicable diseases.” Akingbehin appealed to traders from across the state to show an understanding toward the efforts of the association to rid the markets of rats and rodents. He said that the plan was to de-rat markets in one local government area per day, starting from 5pm. Akingbehin said: “We also decided to put the exercise in the evening due to the nocturnal nature of rodents and our members had recorded successes in the markets visited till date. “It took us about three hours to cover the Oshodi Market when our members went there for the exercise. “Today, Monday, we will be visiting Suru-Alaba Market in Orile-Ifelodun LCDA by 5pm with about 400 EHOs to de-rat it. We are still calling on all other executive secretaries of the local government areas to assist us toward the elimination of rodents in our markets and our environments.”
The association decided on this time to allow traders and buyers transact their legitimate businesses. Lassa fever has so far killed no fewer than 76 out of over 200 cases that have been reported in 17 out of the 36 states of the federation. [myad]
They have always ganged up against him. But somehow, he had always survived the gang up. David Bonaventure Alechenu Mark is his name. Some hate him, others love him. But what many did not know, is that like most Nigerian names, whose meanings appear to be a factor in the life of the bearer, Mark’s native name, Alechenu, may have also played a prominent role in shaping his destiny and political journey. Alechenu in Idoma literarily means “a surprise or the unexpected.” His first election as a Senator was no doubt a surprise to many Idoma people. While in exile, Idoma people had queued behind Chief Steven Lawani, the immediate past Benue deputy governor, after rejecting the leadership of former Senate President, Chief Ameh Ebute, who had represented the area in the Senate, during the defunct NRC/SDP era. Lawani, had won the Senatorial seat of the area under the defunct UNCP, and was even getting set to take another shot at it on the platform of the then APP, when suddenly Mark returned to a heroic welcome from self exile. Once he returned, the PDP offered him the platform and without any political bargain, Lawani chickened out of the race. And even though Ebute attempted to stop him on the platform of the APP, Mark was obviously the preferred choice of the people. He was elected Senator in 1999. 2003: But before the 2003 polls, he had fell out with some prominent stalwarts of the PDP, especially within Zone C, his immediate Senatorial district and the larger Benue PDP. Against all odds, he backed Akume for a second term in office, on the understanding that Akume would pave the way for an Idoma governor in 2007. Although, attempt was made to pull him down at the poll, as most Idoma big names then moved to the UNPP, Mark again triumphed. 2007: However, before the 2007 poll, he had again fallen out with Akume, a thing that never gave him the opportunity to pull the bargain he had with Akume through. In spite of that however, he attempted forcing an Idoma governorship candidate on the PDP, since he was in firm control of the State’s party structure, as Akume had fallen out with Obasanjo. But his instruction that no Idoma man should participate in the party’s governorship primary, organised by the Akume group, a thing that would have made him had his way was not heeded by the Idoma governorship aspirants. At the Senate primary too, Mark faced a formidable opposition in General Lawrence Onoja (rtd). At the end, although Mark had the highest number of votes, he did not score the required percentage to be declared winner. While Onoja was hoping and waiting for a re-run between them, the party headquarters in Abuja, gave Mark the ticket. The contest at the General election was fierce. Mark was not only battling with his opponent, Alhaji Usman Abubakar Maishanu aka Young Alhaji of the now defunct ANPP, but was also battling with forces both from within the PDP in the State, and outside the State, but within the North-Central zone. Eventually he won, but not without some controversies, which later ended in the Appeal court, in Jos, where he was adjudged to have won the poll in the first instance. Contest for Senate Presidency in 2007: If Mantu had succeeded in winning a re-election in 2007, it would certainly have been difficult for Mark to vie for the Senate Presidency, let alone win, as such Mantu’s loss, became Mark’s gain. But even at that the forces within the North-Central zone of the PDP, linked up with other like minds outside the zone, with a view to stopping Mark from emerging as the Senate President. Curiously, Chief Tony Anenih, who was bitter with Obasanjo then, was the arrow head of the group. In spite of the fact that PDP announced Mark as its candidate, Senators Nuhu Aliyu, Akume, Gbemi Saraki and former Governors Kure, all from PDP North-Central zone, including Aliero and Yerima among others, met and insisted that “Obasanjo’s candidate must be blocked at all cost.” This, made Akume to run against Mark, against the Senate Standing Rule, after Senator Aliyu and Gbemi, in that order, stepped down for Akume. But again, Mark triumphed, beating Akume silly at the end of the contest. 2011:Like in 2007, Onoja again in 2011, tried to contest the PDP ticket with Mark at the primary. But unlike in 2007, where Mark failed to make it at the first ballot, this time around, Mark trounced Onoja at the party primary, before Onoja, moved to the ACN, to pick the party’s ticket. Again, at the poll, Mark was returned as the duly elected Senator for Zone C, for another four year term, a victory that gave him the opportunity to offer himself once more for the position of the Senate President, a contest; he won unopposed, despite the obstacles initially placed on his path. 2015:He did not get the party’s ticket on a platter of gold. But he emerged unopposed, following the withdrawal of his major challenger, at the eleventh hour. The withdrawal was made possible through the intervention of the respected Och’Idoma. At the General election, he emerged victorious. But the Appeal court nullified his election. And by February 13, 2016, he will be returning to the polls. Mark himself is like a mystery. He had in the past survived series of conspiracies against him; therefore I don’t think this one will be an exception. Like in the past, this time too, the forces against him are beyond the Idoma land, but like I said, he would survive it. Let me also hasten to add that Mark is the voice the Idoma people needs today. He may not have done much in terms of physical infrastructure, but he has done a lot in terms of Human Capital development. And evidences are all over. However, let me also warn, God forbid, if anything should happen and the forces against Mark succeed, the Idoma people should know that they would have been sentenced permanently to a political siberia. A word, they say, is enough, for the wise.
The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Yomi Awoniyi has said that the outgoing administration is leaving the state better than it met it 2012. Awoniyi, who spoke today at a thanksgiving service held in his honour at the First Baptist Church, Mopa, described the tenure of outgoing Governor Idris Wada as a successful and eventful one, which the people would live to cherish for a long time. According to him, the administration has laid a solid foundation for the future growth and development of the state and prosperity of the people. He thanked the people for their support for the Wada administration, saying that the leadership and members of the church and the people of Mopa were particularly wonderful in their support and prayers for the administration. The outgoing deputy governor promised his continuous support to churches in the area and promised to remain steadfast in his resolve to join others to uplift the socioeconomic status of Mopa. Awoniyi solicited the support of the people for the incoming administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress, saying that it was their support that enabled the outgoing administration to make successes in all sectors. In his sermon, Rev. Joshua Ige was full of praises for Awoniyi for what God has been able to use him to achieve for the people of Mopa and the state in general. The cleric, who described Awoniyi as a pillar of support for the church, prayed and wished him well in his future endeavours. [myad]
On Wednesday, 27th January 2016, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello will assume duties as governor and chief security officer of the confluence state. His assumption will not only mark the beginning of a new era, but also end the decade-long political dynasty of certain section of the state.
Since its creation in 1991, the state has witnessed unprecedented political instability, socio-economic downturn, improvised by ineptitude of people who prioritise self-interest over state development.
There is no doubt that the incoming government will inherit a state with a severe and devastating structures, ranging from political instability, increasing wave of insecurity occasioned by decades of systematic neglect of army of youths in the state and wide spread poverty, infrastructural cum educational decay, accumulated debts and general loss of morality amongst other pot of challenges.
In spite of these alarming hurdles, the incoming governor still has numerous opportunities to overcome all the challenges which are even complicated by the outgoing Idris Wada’s administration. Yahaya Bello only needs to assemble competent team with well-articulated and all inclusive policy.
Politics of acrimony and ethnic rivalry in Kogi state
The task ahead of the God’s own-governor is indeed enormous but surmountable with diligence, prayer and diplomacy.
The history of politics in Kogi state has always been characterised with acrimony, manipulation and ethnic rivalry. Undoubtedly, the circumstances that led to the emergence of Yahaya Bello as governor-elect is still fresh in the memories of discerning Nigerians. The sudden death of Kogi born political “bulldozer,” Prince Abubakar Audu was responsible for his divine emergence.
His party painstakingly took a decision that was quickest, safest, cost-less, simplest and legally proven alternative. It was a decision that defied all human manipulations at that particular time. But this irreversible decision was greeted with a lot of controversies because of the persistence and long history of inter/intral-ethnic struggle in the state. The incursion of south-west political godfather, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu into Kogi politics further worsened the already volatile political environment. His persistent struggle to impose his begotten-political-son, James Faleke as governor of the state has created yet another uncertainty in Kogi politics.
The all-round litigations filed by various interest groups against Bello would for sure, have a negative impact on his administration.
In addition to multiple litigations which Bello needs to sail through by God willing, the current unresolved crisis in the state legislature would, of course, constitute another challenge for his government. It also need be stated that his party has minority in the current state assembly with opposition PDP leading the leadership of the legislative arm of government. Even though, the current speaker is also from his constituency, he may still be faced with a strong opposition and clash of policy interest that require a lot of works to deal with. The challenge of a troubled economy
About 25 years after the creation of this well-endowed state which supposed to be competing favorably with states like Lagos, River, Ilorin and others viable states in the country, the state has unfortunately, remained one of the poorest, according to recent survey. This is despite numerous human and material resources coupled with its strategic location, bordering nearly 10 states of the federation, including federal capital territory, Abuja.
In his recent parting message, the outgoing governor, Captain Idris Ichala Wada declared that his administration was “leaving behind N44.46 billion domestic debt and $35.7 million as external debt for the incoming government” without visible achievement. Needless to say that I’m yet to see in any publication, whether the governor is also leaving behind any penny in the state coffer. According to him, some of his major achievements are recent awarded N4billion contract of Ganaja flyover, the uncompleted Allo cement company, the yet to be completed ethanol factory in Banda among others. This is the height of ineptitude and misgovernance ever exhibited by a sitting governor in the history of Nigeria. He added that “about 85% of the monthly allocation goes into payment of salary.” In his earlier statement, the governor said that the average total annual revenue accruing to the state from federation account and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was about N80 billion but that 90 percent of it goes into salary while the state is left with only 5billion. It will be recalled that at the last count, the state workforce stands at Kogi Central Senatorial District, 4,069 (almost 11%); West Senatorial District, 6,519 (almost 19%); Kogi East Senatorial District 24,621 (about 70%) totalling 35,209. In addition to the seemly empty treasury and accumulated unaccounted debts, the state governor is also leaving behind the lingering crisis between it and organized labour in the state. The labour leaders in recent time have asked the outgoing governor to account for the disappearance of about N2billion from the state coffer, but, Wada and his team are yet to provide a satisfactory answer to this allegation. As such, correcting this comatose economy and social inequalities would require a diligence and diplomatic strategies which may take quit sometime to realise. The misfortune of former and outgoing administrations in the state will indeed have a great impact on Yahaya Bello’s administration. The expectations of the masses are high and the people are anticipating to see him wave his magic-stick and wipe out their tears caused by his predecessors. Though, the masses are not to be blamed as they have suffered untold hardship in the area of insecurity, dearth of infrastructure, alarming rate of poverty, unemployment amongst others, but they need to be patient and corporate with the incoming government to succeed as it takes long meticulous time to repair than to destroy.
Rising spate of insecurity in the state
Despite the claim by the Wada government that his greatest achievement was the restoration of peace and security in the state, available record show that the state is still beclouded with insecurity occasioned by frequent cases of armed robbery, communal crises, Kidnapping, assassination and youth restiveness in the three senatorial districts of the state. Recent reports revealed that major roads in and around the state have become hubs for armed robbers and hoodlums who jump out from the bush onto the road to attack unsuspecting travelers without mercy. In Okene, Kabba, Ijumu and Ajaokuta for instance, banks are forced to close as early as 3pm every day and completely closed down during Yuletide period as armed robbers can freely invade the towns and raid the banks without assurance of security.
Recently, money meant for payment of workers in Adavi LG area were carted away in broad daylight at Ogaminana, Adavi LG area. During the last supplementary governorship election, hoodlums burnt down INEC office in Idah without single person announce to be apprehended. In Ibaji, Dekina, Okehi, Idah, Okene, Adavi, Ajoukut, Ijumu and Kabba LG areas, several people were assassinated within the period of four years of Wada administration. In November last year, about 22 people were murdered by Fulani herdsmen in Dekina LG community while in April last year, TAO FM radio station was bombed by armed men and killed about 4 members of its staff at Kuroko, Adavi LG area of the state.
According to security sources, about 50 people were kidnapped since Wada assumed office in 2012. These include high court judge, Justice Samuel Obayomi; the American Missionary, Rev. Phylhis Sortor; Rector of Federal Polytechnic Idah, Mathew Akpata; seven Chinese men; the Oba of Apaa-Bunu in Kabba/Bunu LGA, HRH Oba Adebisi Obademi; the Bursar of Federal Polytechnic Idah; Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s mother, Hajia Hawawu Bello, two sons of Kogi State House of Assembly Speaker, Lawal Momoh Jimoh; the wife and daughter of the former council chairman of Adavi, Salihu Adaviruku and the younger brother of late Prince Abubakar Audu. The State Commissioner for Land, Housing and Urban Development, Hon, Stephen Maiyaki was among other numerous unreported cases. Yet, Wada, in his usual deceptive statement claims to have restored peace and security in the state despite these glaring evidences of acute failure in all aspects of the state which can be testified to by all right thinking Nigerians who pass through the confluence state.
The Golden opportunities:
While it’s undeniable that the 40 year old young entrepreneur would, by God willing, take over the leadership of over five million people of Kogi state, with numerous challenges, there are also numerous opportunities his Excellency can utilize to deliver his campaign promises and win the confidence of all Kogites within the next four years.
He can borrow a leaf from his counterparts like Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, and follow the developmental posture of the president Buhari administration. It is obvious that his party at the center will not see him failing and will support succor his administration to succeed at all costs.
Also in his favour, is his divine emergence that defied, and continue to defy all human manipulations by God’s willing. This alone shows that he has the guidance, beyond human making, to succeed, the state with little influence from political ‘bourgeoisies’ as he is not indebted to any political godfather in the state and at the federal level. His experience in leadership traits which include: development, valor, fairness, fearlessness, hospitability, honesty, industriousness and gallantry would as well help him when effectively put into practice to navigate through all hurdles on his way. Assembling sincere and knowledgeable and competent team will help him in tackling the challenges. He needs to explore numerous human and natural resources that abound the state.
As Kogi citizens are anxiously awaiting the ‘new direction,’ he must not fail the people. He must ensure that his policies and programs are driven by mass appeal. He must quickly develop a program to absorb the jobless youths who have constituted security menace to the state. He should not allow the litigations to distract his focus even as he should put faith in God. He should believe and trust that God who has brought him to limelight by His grace, would also protect him and make him triumphant in the end.
In an attempt to stretch a hand of fellowship, he must do that with one hand. In an attempt to run all inclusive government, he must do it with cautious. And, in an attempt to reconcile all aggrieved person, he must do it with long hand: that are precious words of advice to the God’s owned governor, his Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello. I wish him and kogites a very best of luck as they begin a new political era, come Wednesday.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has dragged former minister of Finance, Ngozi Oknojo-Iweala to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for failing to “prevent systematic and widespread corruption” in the previous administration which made her to be a complicity in the treasury looting.
“The failure of a former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to prevent widespread and systematic corruption including the re-looting of the Abacha loot amounts to complicity under the Rome Statute, and therefore fits the legal requirements of a crime against humanity.”
In a petition addressed to the prosecutor of the world body, Fatou Bensouda, prosecutor of the ICC, Falana sought the prosecution of Dasuki whose trial by the current administration, he said, should not stop the international body from probing him.
Here is the full text of the petition:
We are a firm of civil rights lawyers based in Lagos, Nigeria. We are the defence counsel for the majority of the members of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Nigeria who were charged with mutiny, cowardly behavior and sundry offences before the courts-martial instituted by the former military authorities.
As we shall demonstrate anon, the only “offence” proved against our clients in the military courts was that they had the temerity to demand for weapons to fight the well equipped troops of the Boko Haram sect.
On account of the deliberate refusal of the former military authorities to equip and motivate the members of the armed forces involved in combat operations the insurgents have killed about 25,000 soldiers and civilians including children and displaced over 2,000,000 people. Having compromised the security of the people of Nigeria by collaborating with the terrorists the former military authorities deliberately encouraged the brutal killing of innocent people including ill-equipped officers and soldiers.
During a visit to Borno state in 2014, former President Jonathan revealed to some selected leaders of the community that it was when Alhaji Modu Ali Sheriff caused the extra judicial killing of the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Mohammed Yusuf that the group declared war on the Nigerian people. Even though President Jonathan knew that Alhaji Sheriff was a major sponsor of the terrorist group the government did not charge him to court under the Terrorism Act applicable in Nigeria. In order to divert the attention of the Nigerian people and the international community from the afore mentioned crimes against humanity, scores of soldiers were put on trial before courts-martial for demanding for equipment to fight the well-armed members of the Boko Haram sect.
The military courts convicted the soldiers and sentenced them to various terms of imprisonment while 70 were sentenced to death. Over 3,000 others were dismissed from the Nigerian Army in similar circumstances. Having investigated and confirmed that the said soldiers were sacrificed to cover up the criminal negligence of the former military authorities the current Army leadership has ordered the recall and reinstatement of the 3,000 dismissed soldiers and commuted the death sentence of 66 out of 70 convicts on death row to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The inquiry conducted by the Presidential Panel on arms procurement has established that the bulk of the sum of $2.1 billion and N643 billion ($4 billion) earmarked for the purchase of military hardware to fight terrorism was criminally diverted by the former government through the office of the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). It has also been confirmed that the said Col. Dasuki colluded with some serving and retired military officers and civilians to divert the sum of $2 billion and N29 billion set aside for the procurement of fighter jets and other equipment for the Nigeria Air Force. As if that was not enough, the sum of $322 million and £5.5 million from the Abacha loot which was illegally transferred to Col. Dasuki by a former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for prosecuting the war on terror has also been criminally diverted. Part of the stolen fund was used to fund the campaign for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general election.
Apart from diverting the fund for acquiring military equipment some corrupt public officers also stole money set aside for acquiring the necessary gadgets and equipment for securing the Nigerian people. For instance, the $470 million contract awarded in 2009 for the installation of CCTV cameras in Abuja, the seat of the federal government, was poorly executed due to corrupt practices. Thus, the identification of terrorists who launched bomb attacks in public places in Abuja has been frustrated by the government officials who stole the contract sum. Notwithstanding the deliberate refusal of the military authorities to purchase arms and armament due to the criminal diversion of the security fund, Col. Dasuki gave a lecture at Chatham House in London on February 8, 2015 where he claimed that Nigeria had acquired adequate equipment to prosecute the war on terror. At the time he was addressing his London audience Col Dasuki was well aware that the fund for procurement of weapons had been stolen by himself and his cohorts.
However, out of the fear that he could be made to account for his role in the diversion of the security fund the then Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Barde disclosed, while he was retiring from the service on July 30, 2015, that the armed forces led by him lacked the equipment to fight the terrorists. In his reaction to the disclosure Col. Dasuki stated sometime in August 2015 that the equipment ordered by the Jonathan administration had not arrived the country! It is submitted that the former public officials, serving and military officers as well as civilian collaborators who engaged in the criminal diversion of the security fund are liable to bear full responsibility for the death of about 25,000 people who were killed by the Boko Haram sect and the over 2,000,000 people displaced by the terrorist organisation. Nigeria is a state party to the Rome Statute and deposited its instrument of ratification on 27 September 2001.
The preamble to the 2003 United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which Nigeria has also ratified states that corruption “is no longer a local matter but a transnational phenomenon that affects all societies and economies. We strongly believe that allegations of corruption so far made against Col. Sambo Dasuki and other public officers have had catastrophic effects on the lives of over 25,000 Nigerian soldiers and civilians including children akin to crimes against humanity as contemplated under the Rome Statute and within the jurisdiction of the Court. The Rome Statute in article 7 defines “crime against humanity” to include “inhumane acts causing great suffering or injury,” committed in a widespread or systematic manner against a civilian population.”
The common denominator of crimes against humanity is that they are grave affronts to human security and dignity. We believe that the staggering amount of public funds alleged to have been stolen create just these consequences. Crimes against humanity are not only physical violence; allegations of corruption highlighted above hold a comparable gravity, which the Prosecutor should examine and thoroughly investigate. The elements that need to be established to prove a “crime against humanity “under article 7(1)(k) of the Rome Statute are that, the perpetrator inflicted great suffering or serious injury by means of an inhumane act; that the perpetrator was aware of the circumstances, and that the act was committed within a widespread or systematic attack on a civilian population; and that the perpetrator knew of that link. The consequences of allegations of corruption highlighted above are similar to those of the offences in article 7(1). Corrupt officials in the government know well that their conduct is criminal and injurious, and that their ostentatious lives, built on a radical breach of solemn trust, aggravate their crime against humanity.
We believe that these allegations of widespread and systematic corruption amount to crimes against humanity and therefore clear violations of the provisions of the Rome Statute of International Criminal Court. These allegations have given rise to individual criminal responsibility of those suspected of perpetrating corruption, as entrenched in the Rome Statute. Although the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has so far shown some political will to fight corruption and recover stolen assets, we believe that an international investigation by the ICC from the perspective of crimes against humanity would complement the anti-corruption initiatives by the current government and contribute to ending a culture of impunity of perpetrators. We submit that substantial grounds exist to warrant the intervention of the Prosecutor in this case.
Under Article 30(2)(b) of the Rome Statute, a person has intent “in relation to a consequence, [where] that person means to cause that consequence or is aware that it will occur in the ordinary course of events. We therefore submit that this is sufficient to hold Col Dasuki and others that have been indicted in the arms theft scandal responsible for crimes against humanity perpetrated against Nigerians.
The failure of a former Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to prevent widespread and systematic corruption including the re-looting of the Abacha loot amounts to complicity under the Rome Statute, and therefore fits the legal requirements of a crime against humanity. Falana then asked the ICC Prosecutor to: Urgently commence an investigation proprio motu on the allegations of the criminal diversion of the security fund of $2.1 billion and N643 billion earmarked by suspected perpetrators, with a view to determining whether these amount to crimes against humanity within the court’s jurisdiction. In this respect, I also urge you to invite representatives of the Nigerian government to provide written or oral testimony at the seat of the Court, so that the Prosecutor is able to conclude on the basis of available information whether there is a reasonable basis for an investigation, and to submit a request to the Pre-Trial Chamber for authorization of an investigation.
Bring to justice those suspected to bear full responsibility for deliberate under funding of the armed forces through widespread and systematic corruption in Nigeria; and Urge the Nigerian government to fulfil its obligations under the Rome Statute to cooperate with the ICC; including complying with your requests to arrest and surrender suspected perpetrators of the criminal diversion of security fund, testimony, and provide other support to the ICC. [myad]
The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has described members of a pararel body going by the name Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN) as guests of kiriniri prison, character assassinators, blackmailers and extortionists. GOCOP said that a statement credited to members of the OPAN denying that the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed did not meet with Online Publishers in Lagos on Friday is unfortunate and ridiculous even as it decried a deliberate attempt by OPAN to distort facts relating to its formation. GOCOP also expressed shock at the orchestrated campaign aimed at dragging the name of the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, a thoroughbred professional, in the mud by a group it described as charlatans who have taken their deceit of being professional journalists too far. GOCOP made its position known today in a statement by its Acting President, Musikilu Mojeed; General Secretary, Dotun Oladipo; and Publicity Secretary, Olumide Iyanda, saying that not all members of OPAN can be described as professional journalists. It said that many of those who make up the organization are people who worked on the fringes in media houses and have taken to online journalism principally as tool for blackmail and extortion of money. It said that this fact is reflected in the membership of the association’s Board of Trustees, which is made up of a columnist with The Guardian and former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati; some unknown lawyers; engineers; and Indian nationals. GOCOP said that the OPAN’s statement was clearly attention seeking and part of the carefully planned strategies to embarrass the current government and blackmail it into giving it undeserved recognition. It said this is more so that OPAN, especially its leadership, is made up of people with questionable characters. “These are people who have spent months and days in Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos State and the dungeon of the Department of State Services for attempt to blackmail and extort money from eminent Nigerians, including prominent businessman, Femi Otedola and a former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu. “These are people who did not work for a single day as professional journalists, but as marketers, personal assistants and cameramen in media houses.” The statement by Mojeed, Oladipo and Iyanda said that most members of GOCOP belong to the elite group of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), while none of those in OPAN qualifies to belong to any journalism association in the country, including the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). “In mentioning a Special Adviser in the Presidency in their statement, by which we know they are referring to the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, OPAN is only seeking to drag a man of integrity, who insisted throughout the years OPAN had the backing of Abati that the right thing be done, into a needless controversy. “There is no one who does not know that Mr. Adesina is a thoroughbred professional who will not stand by impostors and never-do-goods. “And for the records, Adesina, being a concerned stakeholder and then President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, had been a strong pillar of support for GOCOP right from its formative stage. At that time, he agreed to be a member of the Board of Trustees of GOCOP. “This was even when he had no inkling he was going to emerge the presidential spokesman. “So also do we know that the choice of those who attended the meeting with Alhaji Lai Mohammed was carefully thought through and not men of doubtful standings who have spent days and months behind bars for failed attempts to blackmail. “While we do not query anyone’s right of association, our stand still remains as an association: no person of doubtful character will be allowed to be a member of GOCOP. Only thoroughbred professionals and people of integrity. Members of OPAN have a right of association, but they should remain within their confines and not cast aspersion on others who have devoted their lives to making a name for themselves in journalism and are professionals in the real sense of the word. “And thoroughbred professionals indeed abound in GOCOP, with most of the publishers having worked at the highest levels in publications such as Thisday, Punch, Tribune, Newswatch, Tell, The News, The Nation, Nigerian Compass, New Telegraph and Champion as Editors. “We do not intend going beyond this for now as documents in our possession will be made available to the public on the atrocities of these charlatans if they push their luck any further. “Our aim is to professionalise the practice of online journalism and not engage in blackmail, which has given journalism a bad name in the country.” In the statement, the leaders recalled how they were frustrated in the early days of the formation of GOCOP that is made up of seasoned journalists, with many boasting of over 25 years experience and rising to become Editors and Desk Heads of renowned newspapers. It was at that time, they said, that the “existence” of OPAN was known, after they (GOCOP) leadership) had made move to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission. The leadership recalled also that a team of its officials, made up of a former President, Malachy Agbo, who is now the Chairman of Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, and Oladipo, met with the so-called President of OPAN, Olufemi Awoyemi, in his office in Lagos State to see how the emerging group could fuse into the existing one. However, the GOCOP group came out shell shocked with the revelations from the meeting when Awoyemi said that OPAN was formed and registered four years before the meeting and that they had kept its existence only to the members, who were less than five, with majority of them based outside the country. “He equally gave part of the terms for fusing as the repayment of the registration fee of the association, which he said would be deducted first from any money made by the association before members could begin to benefit financially. “When asked how much the registration fee was, Awoyemi said OPAN was registered in 2001 in the United Kingdom with £65,000 (Sixty-five thousand pounds). “At this point, Agbo told Awoyemi that the emerging body was not intended to be a money making association but a peer review gathering that would leverage on the experience of its members to bring sanity to online journalism. “After the meeting, OPAN members, working in concert with Abati, who deployed the powers of the Presidency, frustrated efforts to register the new body, with security agents threatening the leadership of the emerging body.” What was most curious, according to GOCOP, was that the initial name sent to the CAC, the Nigerian Online Publishers Association, was endorsed and granted registration, with the certificate of registration issued. “A few weeks after, CAC wrote NOPA claiming that it registered the association in error as OPAN was already in existence. “It took a long battle for CAC to agree to the name GOCOP. The name was even suggested to the online publishers by CAC. And this came amid threat of heading to the law court to challenge the CAC. “It also took OPAN, which claimed it was registered in 2001, over 14 years to formally launch the association. “OPAN was launched about a month after GOCOP did its own formal launch in 2015, which was attended by the likes of a former Chairman of The Punch titles, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, represented the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Alhaji Abdulrasak Namdas; the Founder of Zinox, Leo Stanley Eke, who delivered the keynote address; the Director General of the Debt Management Office, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo; and Adesina.” [myad]
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has given all members of staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), including Agencies and Departments up to March 31, to declare their assets. The Minister said that the order became necessary in view of the need to ensure that all civil servants comply with the requirements of the law under the provisions of Paragraph 11 of the 5th schedule of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria. The directive was contained in a circular signed by the FCTA Director of Establishment and Training, Mr. S.H. Mohammed. According to the circular, the law provides that all Public Officers should declare their Assets and Liabilities on: i. Assumption of Office ii. At the end of term of office ii. At Interval of four years for Public officers on Continuous employment of Government iv. And at such intervals as may be determined from time to time The Minister therefore directed all members of staff to fill the assets declaration form and submit the acknowledgement slip to the office of the Permanent Secretary on or before 31st March, 2016. He advised those members of staff who have earlier declared their assets to submit their acknowledgment slips along with others on the said date. [myad]
Something sad has happened and is happening, and is getting worse in our society: the decline of public intellectualism. And so I ask, where are the public intellectuals? Once upon a time in this country, the public arena was dominated by a ferment of ideas, ideas that pushed boundaries, destroyed illusions, questioned orthodoxies and enabled societal progress. Those were the days when intellectuals exerted great influence on public policy, and their input into the governance process could not be ignored. Ideas are strong elements of nation building, and even where interests are at play, you know the quality of a country by the manner in which a taste for good thinking propels the leadership process.
Public intellectuals are at the centre of this phenomenon: they include academics who go beyond their narrow specializations and university-based scholarship to take a keen interest in public affairs and who use their expertise and exposure to shed light on a broad range of issues. They also include journalists, writers and other professionals who question society’s direction, and offer alternative ideas. The beauty of public intellectualism is that the intellectual at work is a disinterested party, he is interested in ideas not for his own benefit, but for the overall good of society, and he does not assume that his opinions are the best or that he alone understands the best way to run society and its organs. The product of this attitude is that discourse, a culture of debate, is encouraged and in the cross-pollination of ideas, a good current of thought is created; truth is spoken to power.
We have had glimpses of this in Nigeria, and without trying to sketch a history of public intellectualism in our country or attempt a ranking of public intellectuals, let me just say that between the 60s and the 90s, there was so much fascination with ideas in this same country, it was as if the public mind was on fire. Academics from various disciplines took a keen interest in the prospects of the new Nigeria, and they went to the public arena to project ideas. Journalists became revered as sages, so much that certain newspaper columnists almost single-handedly sold newspapers.
Public lectures were organized which attracted persons who were just interested in ideas. Writers did a lot more than the professional task of producing novels, poems and plays and wrote public essays. The vendor’s stand every morning attracted not just buyers and free readers, but also young Nigerians who every morning debated major topics of concern. On television also, there were debates and those in the corridors of power also took ideas seriously. So influential were intellectuals in the public space that they soon got invited to be part of government and although the military had always opposed intellectualism, at least one government, the Babangida government had the largest collection of intellectuals in office since independence. Many who lived during that era will remember the debates over the IMF/Structural adjustment Programme.
As the years went by however, public intellectualism began to decline. In 2006, Jimanze Ego-Alowes published a book titled How Intellectuals Underdeveloped Nigeria and Other Essays, an allusion to the complicity of intellectuals in the crisis that had by then engulfed the country. Four years later, Rudolf Okonkwo in an article titled “The Comedy of Our Public Intellectuals” observed as follows: “the world of the Nigerian public intellectual is a zoo. It is a zoo full of nihilists. Some are sectarian in their outlook and others are humorless. Some are eccentric while others are comical. But one thing they all have in common is an over-inflated ego of their importance in the scheme of things.”
I don’t know about over-inflated ego, but I do know that the flame of public intellectualism in Nigeria is now almost a flicker. There are extremely few new significant voices, saying anything of consequence, the soldiers of old have become old, the fire in their belly, now subdued. It is as if our academics have lost interest in public affairs, as only a few of them maintain a column or write an occasional piece or take on public issues in the manner of the likes of Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Segun Osoba, Claude Ake, Bade Onimode, Ola Oni, Mokwugo Okoye, Mahmud Tukur, Yusuf Bala Usman, Ayodele Awojobi, Biodun Jeyifo, Femi Osofisan, Stanley Macebuh, Odia Ofeimun, Niyi Osundare, Chinweizu, Kole Omotoso, Yemi Ogunbiyi, Bode Sowande, Patrick Wilmot…The opinion pages of the newspapers are no longer vibrant. There is so much “opinionitis”, but debate is rare and rejoinders are always self-serving.
What has happened is that politically neutral intellectuals have now become scarce; the typical intellectual of today is not public in the sense in which that word is used; he is in reality affiliated to partisan and sectional interests. The intellectual influence in Nigeria’s affairs is thus diminished because of obsession with individual interests: academics are now at best “acadapreneurs”: the intellectual as an entrepreneur. Business and partisan interests have compromised media houses; those once vibrant platforms are no longer offering vibrant ideas. Within the cultural sphere, there is a total dumbing down. Where are the creative writers? They are still writing, but few want to get involved in the issues of the day and offer ideas.
The effect is that we are in the age of clichés, of jargon writing, of mundane, unimaginative commentary. Whatever appears intellectual is written off as arrogant and there is no quality debate on anything because people have resorted to making fashionable statements that suit the moment and every one is locked in their own little corner, not willing to listen to the other side of the story. The reading public, whatever is left of it, is also not interested in ideas or anything that requires rigorous thinking. We have thus lost a critical element of public intellectualism: an audience. The people are interested in easy stuff, in fashionable opinions that align with their own partisan interests. Nobody wants to read any long commentary; there is an obsession with short thinking, and whereas brevity may be a good technique, there are certain ideas that just cannot be reduced to a tweet. It is really sad that today, intellectualism is seen as a threat.
Even when corporations and politicians in power draw intellectuals close; they end up usurping the powers of the intellectual, compelling him to hold his intelligence within the scope of the definition of his assignment. Intellectuals can be inside or outside, and there are classical cases of intellectuals in power making a difference, but that age appears ended, the disdain of intellectualism has turned politicians and corporate gurus into wise men that they are not, and the intellectual into an organic element of power. The greatest power of the intellectual lies in his freedom; when he is denied that under any circumstance, society turns off its energy source and gradually, it is the self-imposed wisdom of clowns that prevails.
The gap that has been created seems to have been easily filled by internet gladiators who spend the day shuffling from Instagram to Facebook to Twitter and other social media threads. These new culture activists project a democratic impression of public intellectualism – and yes, there is a sense in which everyone is an intellectual, from the village priest to the village idiot- but I don’t see the rigour, the breadth and depth and the aesthetic alienation that can elevate this genre and its promoters to the grade of public intellectualism. For the most part, social media in Nigeria is predominantly at the level of tabloid sensationalism, and it accommodates and offers the same degree of freedom to the ignorant and the mischievous, as well as the entrepreneur and the uncouth. There is no doubt however that its content and the quality can be raised, but that will require innovation, the intervention of thinkers and the creation of new audiences that will be interested in something more than the quick and formulaic.
What we have lost is not the intellectual, as there are many educated Nigerians who are experts in their narrow fields, what we have lost is active intelligence as a tool for social progress. The rub is in the intelligence part of being intellectual. Being intellectual is about living a life of ideas and using those ideas to engage society intelligently in a committed manner.
In addition to other reasons, it may well be that our intellectuals are tired of engaging Nigeria. Having tried over the years to engage the governance elite with ideas and to show that only good ideas should govern society and having been spurned by the politicians, Nigeria’s intellectual elite seems to have become so frustrated, it has retired largely into a state of indifference and inertia. What is the point knocking one’s head against a wall? But intellectuals in society cannot take such a stand. That will amount to an abdication of responsibility: when intellectuals do no more than make righteous noises, the harvest in the long run, is counter-productive.
Another factor is the emergence of a “climate of fear,” and a culture of silence/co-optation/acquiescence. Politicians distrust intellectuals; they can’t tolerate anyone around them speaking truth to power or raising disturbing questions. The intellectual is expected to keep his ideas to himself and respect constituted authority. He is expected to enjoy his freedom in his head and dare not go public with it. Ideas cannot thrive if the man of ideas is afraid to think, and whisper or speak. Rather than insist on the freedom to differ, many academics, journalists, writers and thinkers have since dropped the baton, and surrendered the public space.
But that is unhelpful cowardice. Those who know better must continue to engage the public vigorously with ideas about governance and public policy, and encourage open debates, for the good of the entire society. Those ideas must however, be relevant for them to be of any value; they must not be abstract theories that disconnect with the people’s realities, but ideas that offer intelligent solutions to practical problems.
Right now, there are critical areas where such intervention is needed: budgets, economic planning, handling a currency crisis that is fast turning into a nightmare (France has declared an economic emergency and yet was not in as bad a position as we are in…Argentina made changes to its export taxes to address its own dilemma…). We have had schizophrenic interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria and yet where are the intellectuals to come up with analysis and desired alternative views, beyond bellyaching? Where are the inorganic public intellectuals to guide public thought? Who are those thinking for government, the opposition and indeed the public space? [myad]
United States of America (USA) Secretary of State, John Kerry, has narrated at the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland how President Muhammadu Buhari has come to save Nigeria from destruction as a result of corruption that had even rendered the nation’s armed forces ineffective to fight Boko Haram insurgents.
“When Nigeria’s President Buhari took office last spring, he inherited a military that was under-paid, underfed, and unable to protect the Nigerian people from Boko Haram. And one reason is that much of the military budget was finding its way into the pockets of the generals. And just this week, we saw reports that more than 50 people in Nigeria, including former government officials, stole $9 billion from the treasury.
“Still in the United States, my friends, we continue to prosecute corruption and we live with a pay-to-play campaign finance system that should not be wished on any other country in the world. I used to be a prosecutor and I know how hard it is to hold people in positions of public responsibility accountable. But I also know how important it is.
“The fact is there is nothing – absolutely nothing more demoralizing, more destructive, more disempowering to any citizen than the belief that the system is rigged against them and that people in positions of power are – to use a diplomatic term of art– crooks who are stealing the future of their own people; and by the way, depositing their ill-gotten gains in ostensibly legitimate financial institutions around the world.
“Corruption is a social danger because it feeds organized crime, it destroys nation-states, it imperils opportunities particularly for women and girls, it facilitates environmental degradation, contributes to human trafficking, and undermines whole communities. It destroys the future.
“Corruption is a radicalizer because it destroys faith in legitimate authority. It opens up a vacuum which allows the predators to move in. And no one knows that better than the violent extremist groups, who regularly use corruption as a recruitment tool.
“Corruption is an opportunity destroyer because it discourages honest and accountable investment; it makes businesses more expensive to operate; it drives up the cost of public services for local taxpayers; and it turns a nation’s entire budget into a feeding trough for the privileged few.
“And that is why it is imperative that the business community of the world starts to demand a different standard of behavior, that we deepen the fight against corruption, making it a first-order, national security priority. It’s why we are now providing technical assistance to more than 25 countries to build online business registration sites, which helps to reduce red tape and opportunities for graft – for the bribery necessary to get the permit, to get the local zoning, to get the land, to get the go-ahead. It’s why we’re expanding our law enforcement programs that send judges overseas to share best practices. And it’s why the U.S. Department of Justice has successfully returned $143 million since 2004 and is litigating now more than a billion dollars’ worth of stolen assets. It’s why we are working with businesses to spur reform and civil society groups whose investigative work on the ground is vital to strong law enforcement and justice. And it’s why we are developing stronger intelligence on kleptocrats and their networks on those who were using targeted economic sanctions and visa restrictions to deny bad actors the profits from graft.
“All told, corruption costs the global economy – global GDP – more than a trillion dollars a year and costs the global economy on an international basis about $2.6 trillion. Imagine the difference that would make to all those kids under the age of 30 – 60 percent in some countries – yearning for jobs and opportunity, for electricity, for education. This corruption complicates, I assure you, every single security, diplomatic, and social priority of the Government of the United States and other governments who are trying to help countries in the world. And this in and of itself creates tension, instability, and a perfect playing field for predators. It is simply stunning to me – I head up the interagency task force of the all-government effort of the United States to deal with human trafficking – it is simply stunning that in the year 2016, more than 20 million, some estimate 27 million people, are the victims of modern-day slavery in what has become a $150 billion illicit human trafficking industry. New York Times recently had a compelling story on its front page of a young Cambodian boy seduced into leaving his country, going to Thailand, believing he’d be part of a construction company, and he wound up at sea for two years with a shackle around his neck as a slave for illegal fishing. Those numbers should shock the conscience of every person around into action, because although money is legitimately and always will be used for many things, it shouldn’t be hard for us to agree that in the 21st century, we should never, ever, ever allow a price tag to be attached to the freedom of another human being.
“The bottom line is that it is everybody’s responsibility to condemn and expose corruption, to hold perpetrators accountable, and to replace a culture of corruption that has changed the way in which people accept the standards that the world long ago adopted, whether in Basel banking standards or in the universal standards of behavior or human rights, and it replaces malfeasance with a standard that expects honesty as a regular way of doing business. Never forget: The impact of corruption touches everyone – businesses, the private sector, every citizen. We all pay for it. So we have to wage this fight collectively – not reluctantly, but wholeheartedly by embracing standards that make corruption the exception and not the norm.
“Now, obviously, corruption’s not a new problem. Every nation has faced it at one time or another in its development. America’s own Founding Fathers knew the threat of corruption all too well, warning of the dangers that it posed to democratic governance. But today, corruption has grown at an alarming pace and threatens global growth, global stability, and indeed the global future.
“And when Prime Minister Abadi, who I met with yesterday – and we talked about the reform effort in Iraq – when he took office in Iraq over a year ago, he found the government payroll weighted down with 50,000 soldiers who didn’t even exist. That meant $380 million of dishonest public officials that got that money instead of it going to build the kind of inclusive and capable security forces that Iraq desperately needed.” [myad]
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Following the outbreak of Lassa fever in some parts of Nigeria, no fewer the Lagos State chapter of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria have killed no fewer than 4,400 rats at six major markets in the state under its de-rat market programme.
Before Metuh Becomes Methuselah, By Ogundana Michael Rotimi
Ridding a corrupt country like Nigeria of corruption will take a little while, but it has to start from somewhere and by someone.
Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries. It undermines democratic institutions, slows down economic development and contributes to governmental instability. Corruption attacks the foundations of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes and conducts, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmires whose only reason for existing is for soliciting bribes.
Economic progress is stunted because foreign direct investment is discouraged and small businesses within the country often find it impossible to overcome the “start-up costs” required because of corruption. Corruption threatens our national security and gives rise to a safe haven for terrorist. This is the scenario we find ourselves as a nation.
It was on the ground of ridding the country of corruption that President Buhari came into power. And since his ascension to the highest position in the land, his greatest efforts and strength have been channeled to defeating the Boko Haram insurgency and fighting against corruption. Both efforts seem to be yielding results, as to some extent, one can say that the Boko Haram insurgency has been incapacitated even though not completely defeated while the fight against corruption is just but taking shape.
Nevertheless, corruption is a symptom of deep-seated and fundamental economic, political and institutional weaknesses of a country. The fight against corruption will be effective, when measures against it address the underlying causes and not just the symptoms. President Buhari must move beyond the fighting against corruption, and build lasting institutions that will live on after he is out of office. Emphasis must not just be placed on fighting corruption but also be placed on preventing corruption by tackling the root causes that give rise to it through undertaking economic, political and institutional reforms. The Treasure Single Account (TSA) is a valuable initiative, but it is just one of the many initiatives needed to prevent corruption.
Anti-corruption enforcement measures such as oversight bodies, a strengthened police force, more efficient laws and reliable law courts amongst others, are needed to genuinely curb and prevent corruption. This is because corruption and institutional weaknesses are linked together and they feed on each other. So, getting rid of corruption helps a country to overcome other institutional weaknesses, just as reducing other institutional weaknesses helps to curb corruption.
One of the fights against corruption since the inception of this administration has been the thorough investigation into how the funds meant for arms procurement were spent and those involved in the spending. Quite a number of people have been arrested in connection to the illegal spending of the arms procurement fund and the “latest man” on the roll is the spokesman of the opposition party, Chief Olisa Metuh.
Olisa Metuh is the current spokesman of the onetime biggest political party in Nigeria and in Africa at large. He was not so vocal a spokesman; he was not even vocal enough as his counterpart, Lai Mohammed, when he was the spokesman of the then opposition party. Nonetheless, one thing is sure; he defended his party to the last and spoke always positively about his party. And to him, there was no time his party was wrong.
Unfortunately for him, officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, stormed his Abuja home, took him away to their custody and since then, his life has never remained the same. He was remanded in Kuje Prison by an order of a Federal High Court in Abuja with respect to charges of money laundering involving N400m, part of money meant for procurement of arms, which he collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014. He was later produced in court by prison officials and was granted bail to the sum of N400m as bail bond. Not too bad of a bail condition!
But you see, you need not have to run when nothing and no one is pursuing you, and fear no guilt if your hands are clean. But for Metuh, while in the custody of the EFCC, he was alleged to have destroyed the evidence against him and again, re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, which ordered that he be remanded over two counts of destruction of evidence and mischief preferred against him by the EFCC. And on Friday, 22nd January, 2016, for the second time in just two days, he was granted bail in the sum of N300m with two sureties in like sum. The total bail sum now N600m.
Putting the two bail conditions together, the spokesperson of the People`s Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, will need a total of N1 billion to secure is bail from Kuje prison while his case continues.
Pathetically, now that the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of his party, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, had said that it would be wrong for anyone to be expecting the party to provide sureties for Metuh when the party did not benefit from the money he allegedly collected from the former National Security Adviser, Lt Col. Sabo Dasuki (retd.). It means Olisa Metuh is on his own and has a long way to go. But to me, it seems his journey has not even started.
The point is, will Olisa risk getting his bail with a bond of N1 billion when it`s not even sure of winning the case? Would it be better he stays in Kuje and seek for a speedy hearing of his case so his fate can be quickly decided? Well, whatsoever happens to Metuh, and those involved in the arms procurement scandal should teach the rest of us that power is transient and the greatest gift a true leader can give to his people is selfless leadership, that is devoid of greed and wickedness.
Less than a month in Nigerian prison, Olisa has grown older than what he`d be in 5 years time. He has grown grey beards and not really looking like the Metuh we used to know- looking skinny and perhaps already experiencing the other part of the world.
Before now; the evil that men do live after them, but now the evil they do live with them. Those that are standing with Metuh should better stand right with him with all their might. Else, he becomes Methuselah in Nigerian prison.
God Bless Nigeria.
. Ogundana Michael Rotimi is a Nigerian Biochemist, Socio-economic and Political Commentator, and Public Speaker. He tweets @MickeySunny. [myad]