The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu
Tambuwal, has stated that President Goodluck
Jonathan is encouraging corruption in Nigeria by his
handling of corruption cases.
“The President’s body language’ seems to be
encouraging corrupt practices in the country,” the
speaker said.
Mr. Tambuwal said the executive arm, headed by Mr.
Jonathan, has failed to act on corruption cases
revealed by the National Assembly.
He spoke while responding to questions on Monday
after he presented a paper titled the ‘role of the
legislature in the fight against corruption in Nigeria’
at a one day roundtable to mark the international
anti-corruption day organised by the Nigeria Bar
Association, NBA, in Abuja.
“Take the subsidy probe, the pension, the SEC probe
and recently the bullet proof car cases. After the
House of Representatives did a diligent job by
probing and exposing the cases, you now see
something else when it comes to prosecution.

“In some cases, you have the government setting up
new committees to duplicate the job already done by
the parliament. Take the bullet proof cars case, the
NSA, with all the security challenges confronting the
country, should not be burdened with a job that can
best be handled by the anti-corruption agencies,” he
said.
He also said the government has no business setting
up any administrative committee in a corruption case
that is clear to all Nigerians, in apparent reference
to the committee set up by Mr. Jonathan to probe
the N255 million car scandal involving the Minister
of Aviation, Stella Oduah. The three-man presidential
committee had since submitted its report to Mr.
Jonathan, with the president taking no action.

“What the President should have done was to
explicitly direct the EFCC to probe the matter. With
such directives coming from the President, I am sure
we still have good people in EFCC who can do a good
job,” Mr. Tambuwal said.
“By the action of setting up different committees
for straightforward cases, the president’s body
language doesn’t tend to support the fight against
corruption.”

While lamenting what he described as the selective
nature of prosecution of cases by the anti-corruption
agencies, Mr. Tambuwal pledged the support of the
national Assembly in the fight against corruption.
Below is the excerpt of the speech he earlier read
at the event.

THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATURE AS THE
VANGUARD FOR ANTI CORRUPTION CRUSADE IN
NIGERIA: BEING TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY RT
HON AMINU WAZIRI TAMBUWAL CFR, SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
NATIONAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
NIGERIA
AS GUEST SPEAKER AT THE
2013
INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY
ORGANIZED BY THE NIGERIA BAR
ASSOCIATION (NBA) ANTI-CORRUPTION
COMMITTEE – 9TH DECEMBER 2013,
SHERATON
HOTEL & TOWERS, ABUJA
PROTOCOL:

1. I should like to start by expressing my sincere
appreciation to the Anti-corruption committee of the
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for assigning me the
role of Guest Speaker at this auspicious occasion of
the 2013 International Anti-corruption day
observance.

2. The subject matter, corruption, is so vast that to
attempt to address it generally will take ages.
Accordingly, therefore, I have decided to restrict my
discussion today to “the role of the legislature as
the vanguard for anti corruption crusade in Nigeria”

3. As a phenomenon, corruption is so notorious that it
does not require introduction at an occasion or
definition in a discussion such as this. The mere fact
that corruption has been able to secure a whole day
globally set aside for the observance of the
prosecution of war against it confirms it’s notoriety
beyond doubt. It also establishes the fact that
corruption is a global citizen.

4. Nonetheless, for purposes of refreshing our
memories, corruption refers to dishonest or illegal
behaviour or conduct especially by powerful people. It
is the impairment of integrity, virtue or moral
principle and a departure from what is pure and
correct.

5. Even though the tendency has been to talk of
corruption more with reference to persons in
position of governmental or managerial authorities, in
reality corruption permeates all segments of society
and indeed all societies since government and
authorities are products of societies. It must be
admitted though, that the level of prevalence differs
from society to society.

6. For us in Nigeria, the reality that no greater
challenge than corruption confronts us as a people is
not in controversy. Indeed if the roots of the
overwhelming majority of our woes were traced, they
are sure to terminate at the doorsteps of corruption.
This is a commonplace fact known to all Nigerians and
requiring no corroboration. Yet for the avoidance of
doubt, it is important to state that in its 2012 Global
Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by the global
corruption watchdog, Transparency International
ranks Nigeria as the 36th most corrupt country
globally! Nigeria placed 139th of the 176 countries
assessed scoring 27% in contrast with the least
corrupt countries; Denmark, Finland and New Zealand
which scored 90%.

7. A survey of the social media showed that 98% of
Nigerians who commented not only agreed with the
country’s corruption ranking but in fact felt
Transparency International was too generous to
Nigeria. A few of the comments read: “We don’t need
a report to tell us what we already know” another
“Wow, I taught (sic) we were No.1, I wonder what
country (SIC) are before us. We all need prayers and
serious fasting for our nation”. The other “to be fair,
I always thought Nigeria is the most corrupt country
in the world” yet another “Me too… 35th is actually
being nice”.

8. A list of manifestation of corruption especially in
the public sector of Nigeria is legion ranging from
direct diversion of public funds to private pockets,
contract over-pricing, bribery, impunity, nepotism,
general financial recklessness, fraudulent borrowing
and debt management, public assets striping,
electoral fraud, shielding of corrupt public officers
among others.

9. It is a well established fact that corruption
thrives well in any environment or society where
there is community indifference or lack of
enforcement policies. Societies with a culture of
ritualized gift giving where the line between
acceptable and non-acceptable gifts is often hard to
draw. Societies in which values have been overthrown
by materialism, societies in which laws are observed
more in the breach.

10. It would appear that these environmental
preconditions are all prevalent in the Nigerian
society and no wonder therefore that corruption has
found fertile soil to blossom.

11. As noted earlier, corruption is Nigeria’s greatest
problem and a cancerous impediment to any
development effort planned or envisaged. It follows
then that if Nigeria is to witness true development,
then corruption must be dealt with decisively and
comprehensively. It is a duty requiring will, zeal and
passion on the part of the three arms of government
and indeed the entire citizenry.
The Role Of The Legislature.

12. The legislature plays three basic functions in a
democracy, to wit Legislation, Representation and
Oversight. It is within this scope of authority that
the legislature can and indeed does impact on
governance and can thus participate in the
prosecution of the war against corruption in Nigeria .

13. Under the legislative function, Section 4 of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999
provides to the effect that the National Assembly
shall have the power to make laws for peace, order
and good government of the country. More
specifically, under Section 15 (5) of the Fundamental
Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy,

it provides, “The state shall abolish all corrupt
practices and abuse of office”. Again in Section 2 (2)
(b) and (c)’ government is enjoined to harness the
resources of the nation for the common good and to
prevent the concentration of wealth or the means of
production and exchange in the hands of few
individuals or of a group.

14. The responsibility of fashioning the legal
framework for the fight against corruption and
corrupt practices is thereby vested in the
legislature.

15. In the exercise of this mandate, the National
Assembly has enacted, the Code of Conduct Bureau
and Code of Conduct Tribunal, The Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act
2002 and The Independent Corrupt Practices and
Other Related Offenses Commission Act 2000′ for
the purpose of investigating and prosecuting Public
Officers and other persons suspected of involvement
in corrupt practices. In both legislation, the
Commissions are given extensive powers of
investigation and prosecution to deal with all cases of
corrupt practices and abuse of office that may arise.

16. With respect to the specific objective of
injecting transparency and accountability in the
management of the resources of the nation, the
National Assembly enacted the Fiscal Responsibility
Act 2007 and the Public Procurement Act 2007. Both
legislations make copious provisions aimed at
engendering transparency and accountability in the
public space.

17. I make bold to say that if the provisions of these
legislation and indeed others were diligently
enforced, significant milestones would have been
accomplished in the fight against corruption and
corrupt practices in Nigeria. Sadly however these
Legislations are observed more in the breach by the
majority including government and government
agencies.

18. I am pleased to report that the House of
Representatives is currently working on some
proposals for the reform of these laws with a view to
reinforcing the independence of the agencies
administering these laws including their mode of
constitution and disbandment. I wish therefore to
call on members of the NBA and indeed all Nigerians
to prepare to buy into these reforms by making their
inputs now or when the time comes for Public
Hearings.

19. One other area which has been of great concern is
the culture of undue secrecy that surrounded the
operation of government. Whereas our Constitution
enjoins in its Section 14 (2) (c) that ” the
participation of the people in their government shall
be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this
Constitution” government business tended to be run
like secret societies to the exclusion of the
citizenry. It was clear that this tended and was
indeed intended to aid the concealment of corruption
such that even in times of suspicion, members of the
public including gentlemen of the fourth realm could
not access public information.

20. The National Assembly has passed the Freedom of
Information Act 2011 to enhance the right of access
to public records and information about public
institutions. This is one Legislation that attracted
massive public interest and it is my expectation that
Nigerians will make maximum use of the right
created under this legislation in order to defeat the
culture of undue secrecy in the running of
government business.

21. The other function of the legislature is oversight
of the other arms of government. Section 88
mandates the National Assembly to investigate the
conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry
or government department charged or intended to be
charged with the duty of or responsibility for

i) Executing or administering laws enacted by the
National Assembly or
ii) Disbursing or administering moneys appropriated
or to be appropriated by the National Assembly
The main object of investigation according to sub
section 2 (a) and (b) of Section 88 is for law reform
and to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the
execution or administration of laws or administration
or disbursement of public funds. Similar provision is made in Section 128 of the constitution for
legislatures at the sub-national levels.

22. Another critical role of the Legislature is the
provision of adequate funding for Anti Corruption
Agencies through appropriation. Unfortunately
efforts to exercise this function by the legislature is often misconstrued by the executive arm and even some members of the public. Yet without adequate funding the anti corruption agencies cannot execute their functions satisfactorily. I wish to call on the other arms of government and indeed the general public to corroborate with us in the exercise of this mandate .

23.It is in exercise of this mandate that the House of Representatives and indeed the National Assembly has been carrying out oversight of government agencies and series of investigations or probes over allegations of corruption and corrupt practices. As you are all aware, the legislature has over the years exposed several cases of corruption.

24. It is important for me to stress once again at
this stage that the mandate of the legislature is to expose corruption. It does not have further mandate to prosecute. That mandate of prosecution lies with the Executive and Judiciary. I have heard public comments to the effect that the public is tired of investigation by the legislature since the people indicted in their findings are never prosecuted and
sanctioned.

25. Let me reiterate that the Legislature will not
abdicate its responsibilities on the account of
inaction or negligence of another arm of government. If nothing else we will at least continue to name and shame. As noted earlier, the war against corruption is the responsibility of all and I call on the citizens of this great nation to rise in the exercise of their constitutional power to insist on the prosecution and sanctioning of persons indicted by the Legislature or by any agency whether public or private concerned in the fight against corruption.

26. In the exercise of the mandate of oversight the legislature is able to audit both pre and post
expenditure of agencies of government and to give
appropriate direction on the administration and
disbursement of funds and execution of programs and projects under the Appropriation Act. Indeed the Public Accounts Committee of both the House and Senate has the specific mandate to review the
disbursement and administration of public funds by
ministries, Departments and Agencies.

27. As representatives of the people, Legislators
will continue to be for all Nigerians their eyes to
see, ears to hear and mouth to speak out against
corruption anywhere and at anytime it rears its ugly
head.

28. The task may appear daunting but I wish to assure that wit will, zeal, passion and determination we shall eventually overcome this hydra headed dragon. Only let us be single minded that it’s a task that must be done in order to preserve the country for posterity.

Thank you all for your attention and God bless Nigeria

OP.

Can you re-edit this into proper formatting...it's kinda reader unfriendly in the present format.

Every sane Nigerian is aware of this. GEJ his corruption impersionified!

We are all aware of Jonathan's corrupt tendencies. He arbours corrupt entities in his administration. His way of solving corruption is by setting up committees after committees with absolutely no action on recommended line of action(s).


As Obasanjo said, "Jonathan government is chop make I chop government".

sincerenigerian: We are all aware of Jonathan's corrupt tendencies. He arbours corrupt entities in his administration. His way of solving corruption is by setting up committees after committees with absolutely no action on recommended line of action(s).


As Obasanjo said, "Jonathan government is chop make I chop government".

'Chop I chop' reminds me of IBB's regime.

Tambuwal spoke well.

That you want to list the people you know that are corrupt, do not remove the FACT that President Jonathan is very corrupt.

Ok

BREAKING NEWS: Jonathan Encourages Corruption In Nigeria - Speaker Tambuwal
https://www.nairaland.com/1549249/breaking-news-jonathan-encourages-corruption#20107069

This is one of the reasons I hate politicians.
They are all hypocristes.This speaker
condones corruption as much as Jonathan. If
not why has the house of rep not started the
process of impeaching the president or are all
these facts not reasonable ground for
impeachment. Why is he telling Nigerian.
Was he not elected to represent us and make
sure that the president is brought to book.
This is why we can't move forward in this
country, the politicians know the right thing to
do but don't do them,they simply prefer to talk
about it. Secondly what of Farouk Lawan.
Was it not exactly same thing Gej did with
aviation and fuel subsidy that he did with the
case of Farouk Lawan. Truth is,they both
condone Corruption. Gej may be worse
though..

ceo4eva: BREAKING NEWS: Jonathan Encourages Corruption In Nigeria - Speaker Tambuwal
https://www.nairaland.com/1549249/breaking-news-jonathan-encourages-corruption#20107069

Space already booked there.