Corruption Is A Threat To Democracy In Nigeria - ICPC

By Blessing Bature, Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said that corruption has eaten deep into the Nigerian system affecting both the private and public institutions, threatening our democracy and weakened public trust in governance.

Speaking at the 4th Annual Conference organized by the Forensic Insight International on the theme financial crime, cross-border crime, and illicit substance abuse, the Chairman ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye ably represented by Mr. Elijah Akaakahol said its high time we realise that we are all victims of corruption in Nigeria and that when our tribal men or women, church members or members of our mosque steal and give out penance or donations, they are not doing any favour but incubating insecurity, kidnapping, preventing our children from access to quality education and making it difficult for government to provide health facilities and infrastructure.

He however said that the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility of everyone that mean well for Nigeria and should not be left to the government and anti-Corruption agencies alone, adding that corruption thrives where there's acceptability and weak enforcement of the laws, hence the traction of anti-Corruption efforts Will only gain momentum and lead to visible result where enforcement is matched by public intolerance and realization of the cost of corruption.

Earlier the Chief Executive Officer of Forensic Insight International Mr. Tunji Aworinde said that corruption is virtually in all fora of the Nigerian economy especially the petroleum sector where fuel subsidy has become a veritable opportunity for some individuals to loot the system , adding that one of the reasons corruption thrives in Nigeria is that Nigerians refuse to see it the way it is but instead corruption is defined based on ethnicity, religion and position of influence. You sometimes hear that the person accused of corruption is not guilty, even when the person has admitted to the offence himself. You have instances of people protesting with placards if their kinsman is arrested and being prosecuted. Therefore, if Mr A sees that Mr B indulged in corruption and nothing happened to him, Mr C will replicate it, because society accepts it."

Aworinde said until corruption is defined by it generic term we will never arrest this menace from our Nigerian society, enforcement of laws against corruption is one of the problems militating against the fight against corruption, he added

"We have laws established to fight corruption, but enforcement is weak. Agencies are doing their best, but it appears they lack the capacity. Some of our laws actually encourage courage corruption. For instance, the immunity clause in our constitution is a licence for looting without getting accountable," he said.

Speaking also Mr. Christ Nwogu , the coordinator of the Forensic Insight International Conference said that the conference was apt and focused on addressing corruption through sensitization campaign, aimed at encouraging voluntary asset and income declaration to prevent, check and deter tax fraud and outright tax evasion of public office holders, and private entities which has become endemic paralyzing government's abilities to provide the dividend of democracy to the citizens. No nation can grow under a corrupt system, hence the need to sanitize the system through anti-Corruption campaigns and enforcement of laws becomes imperative, he added.