The Brazeness Of Corruption -By Kene Obiezu

Finally, after more than twenty years, it appears that the late dictator, Mr. Sani Abacha, now has some worthy company in Nigeria`s corruption hall of shame. She might just be Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria`s former Minister of Petroleum Resources.

It is an open secret that over the years that suspicions are strong that over the years the EFCC has finetuned the arts of political persecution and   making mountains out of molehills. However, its revelations about the size of Alison-Madueke`s loot have chilled the blood of Nigerians. The EFCC says it has recovered close to two hundred million US dollars in money alone. The loot also includes properties and outrageously expensive clothes which for all they cost can never cover the nakedness that corruption foists on the consciences of those who condone it.

In a country where countless children cry themselves to sleep at night because of hunger, it assaults the senses that one person should even be   suspected of illegally acquiring this much while supposedly serving the public.

But what is it with corruption and Nigeria? What does the rampaging cankerworm of corruption find so attractive in Nigeria? Why have Nigerians found it impossible to shake this huge monkey off their backs?

In 1999, a salutary return to democracy put Nigeria   in a prime position to demand accountability for its oil wealth- plundered for many years by military dictators- plug loopholes and enshrine transparency, all in a bid to ensure that equality becomes the emblem of the country in the long run. These salubrious possibilities were to be ushered in by use of the unique tools that democracy avails. So far, the journey has proven an exasperatingly tedious one.

Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo was Nigeria`s President from 1999- 2007. He was supposed to put in place the structures Nigeria needed to find its feet after years of utterly disruptive military rules. Students of Nigerian history are divided about how he performed. Undoubtedly, with the benefit of hindsight, Mr. Obasanjo and his keenest supporters would argue that he performed well while in office. Looking at the abysmal performance of some of his successors, that Mr. Obasanjo can be forgiven for giving himself a pass mark. However, it remains an inescapable truth is that it was under him that the flames of so many of the country`s problems which have today flared into ruinous conflagrations were first kindled.

It was under Mr. Obasanjo that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission were established. But it was also under Mr. Obasanjo that the commissions, especially the EFFC, turned the fight against corruption into political whips with which to beat political opponents.

Again, it was no coincidence that just two years after Mr. Obasanjo left office, Boko Haram spiraled out of control.

Mr. Umaru Musa Yar`adua (of blessed memory) was next in line. His time in office during which he showed forceful promise in getting things right was tragically cut short by death. Then came Mr. Goodluck Jonathan and after him, Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, the incumbent.

Mrs. Diezani Alison- Madueke served under the former and at some point, between 2011 and 2015, it seemed Mr. Goodluck Jonathan was content to sit by why his aides bled Nigeria dry with looting of   epic proportions.  

As corruption has fastened its fangs into the country, it is simply incredible how much the country has lost to the thieves and charlatans who wear the toga of public officers, and how much the country is struggling as a result.

There is a reason public schools are in ruins with broken furniture and dilapidated buildings; there is a reason public hospital lack the facilities indispensable to nursing the sick; there is a reason power supply is anemic in the country; there is a reason roads and bridges are either non-existent or broken across the country; there is a reason about forty percent of Nigerians are helplessly stuck beneath the poverty line: the reason is corruption.

Corruption in Nigeria is a crime in which many Nigerians have been involved either as   perpetrators or as victims. It rides on a plunder mentality and it is actively promoted by a culture of chopocracy: the peculiarly Nigerian entitlement public officers feel to public funds.

 In Nigeria, a councilor who just won elections to represent his ward in his local government rejoices   that finally, the opportunity has come for him to have his own share of the national cake. It is Nigeria that a caretaker committee chairman of a local government who lived from hand to mouth before his appointment becomes a multi- millionaire in the twinkle of an eye. In Nigeria, a governor while in office maintains many offshore accounts and owns houses in different countries around the world. Government in Nigeria has become a business of corrupt buying and selling of public funds that excludes Nigeria`s poorest.

So, there is late Mr. Sani Abacha, there is Mr. James Ibori and there is Diezani Alison-Madueke, all floating in the boat that has brought a boatload of international embarrassment to the country. There are many more like them who are under the radar of Nigeria`s selective criminal investigation and prosecution.

It seems corruption has come to stay in Nigeria. As long as it stays, Nigerians can expect an already stormy ride to get stormier.

Kene Obiezu

keneobiezu@gmail.com