Dariye, Nyame And The Paradox Of War Against Corruption -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

Corruption is one of the endemic or virus that hampered or slow the growth and development of Nigeria. Since the attainment of independence in 1960,Nigeria has been battling with corruption as resources meant for national development are being diverted or squandered by those entrusted with leadership at all levels. In the last six decades of independence, corruption is so entrenched in such a manner that the country has continued to loss trillions of naira. These huge resources usually ended in the pockets of corrupt government officials in collaboration with their cronnies. No wonder, many countries which attained independence with Nigeria such as: Malaysia and India have recorded speedy developments in contrast with the so-called giant of Africa. Nigeria,the sixth largest producer of crude oil in the world imports petroleum for its domestic consumption. The four refineries which were built in the early 70s to provide petroleum for internal and external consumption were allowed to rot. While nigerians apportioned blames on the military administrations for high cases of corruption,the return of democracy in 1999 has failed to stop the monster.

In 1999 when Obasanjo administration came on board, it carried out institutional reforms aimed at dispensing democracy dividends which the country was yearning for. In other to tackle corruption which had eaten deeply into the fabrics of the country, Obasanjo established Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt practice Commission (ICPC). These sisters agencies were charged with the responsibilities of investigating, apprehending and confiscating proceeds of corruption believed to have been corruptly accummulated by government officials, organizations or cooperate Bodies. EFCC during its formative years was led by finest, hardworking and fearless boss, Nuhu Ribadu. The fear of Malam Nuhu Ribadu was the begining of wisdom among the corrupt individuals. The commission was able to arrest and prosecute highly corrupt governors, ministers, business monguls and other government officials. Until it was later politicised by Obasanjo to achieve political gains,EFCC had recorded remarkable achievement.

The successive administrations failed to strengthen the war against corruption in the country. EFCC which was established to go after corruption suddenly turned to a tooth less bull dog. The commission became tool for political intimidation. Government used it to harrass or witch-hunt perceived political opponents. Upon assumption of Buhari administration and it’s promised to fight corruption, many nigerians expect a paradigm shift in the war against corruption. However, the war against corruption under Buhari administration becomes joke taking too far. The recent pardon granted to former plateau and Taraba states governors by council of states has been condemned by nigerians. Joshua Dariye stole 1.6 billions naira while his former colleague Jolly Nyame diverted 1.4 billions from their respective states. Though, in a saner climes,Dariye and Nyame who were charged to court and sent to jail must have served their maximum jail terms,it is not so in Nigeria. The pardon granted to the duo have indeed eroded the gains achieved by Buhari administration’s war against corruption.

It is a known fact, the pardon will embolden corruption and render war against corruption meaningless in a country where corruption has become the order of the day. Government officials will steal public funds with impunity believing they will be pardoned by government. This is the reason nigerians are calling for the total scrapping of the anti-corruption agencies. With the pardon granted to Dariye and Nyame, nigerian should forget about war against corruption.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state 08169056963.