₦airaland Forum

What does corruption look like? The short answer
is: not what you think it does, at least according to
President Goodluck Jonathan who while recently
“rethinking corruption” said that: “Over 70% of
what are called corruption offences, even by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
and other anti-corruption agencies, is not
corruption, but common stealing.”
This very high percentage suggests that Nigeria
may be nearly corruption-free. If this is the
president’s proposition, this government has
something of a mountain to climb to satisfactorily
prevent and combat corruption and impunity of
perpetrators in the country.
The ‘over 70% cases of corruption’ that fit as
‘common stealing’ under the president’s ‘definition’
would presumably include dozens of unresolved
corruption cases against former governors,
unresolved cases of corruption in the petroleum
sector, especially the case of the missing $20 billion
from the account of the Nigeria National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC), unresolved oil subsidy scam,
the unimplemented KPMG report on corruption
within the NNPC, unresolved cases of corruption in
the pension fund, unresolved cases of corruption in
the Universal Basic Education Commission funds,
and the unresolved cases of corruption in the
capital market. The list goes on!
If these are cases of ‘common stealing’, then what is
corruption? Nigerians would like to know exactly
the measurement or empirical data used to come
up with such notion of corruption. Clearly, the
message being conveyed would seem to be that
the country is making progress against corruption.
But this idea of corruption is certainly in the realm
of feelings and not of legal rules, morality or facts.
Here’s the thing: The term ‘corruption’, probably the
most used word (inevitably subjectively and
controversially, but almost always habitually) in the
whole vocabulary of politics, is derived from the
Latin verb curruptus, which is translated as ‘to
break’. Linguistically, the word is used rather pejora­
tively and censoriously to refer to any of the
following: ‘dishonest or illegal behaviour, especially
of people in authority’; ‘the act or effect of making
someone or something change from moral to
immoral standards of behaviour’.
According to the House of Lords in Cooper v. Slade,
corruption is “Purposely doing an act which the law
forbids as tending to corrupt” [See 8 [1857] HL Cas
746]. In Biobaku v. Police, the court describes
corruption as “acting improperly.” Thus, there will
be corruption when “a public officer fails to carry
out his duties honestly and impartially, and when
he is affected by considerations of benefit to himself
or another person” (See 1951) 20 N.L.R. 30.
These definitions presuppose legal prohibition of
some ‘dishonest’ conduct as ‘corrupt’, and also
reflect some universal moral sensibilities, seeming
to suggest that corrupt acts are those which do not
agree with some moral and social norms
presumably of universal application.
The classifications used generally in anti-corruption
treaties and standards and national laws such as
the UN Convention against Corruption and the
Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act to
characterise these kinds of behaviour are: bribery,
embezzlement (stealing), abuse of office, trading in
influence, and illicit enrichment (another form of
stealing).
The Corrupt Practices Act however uses analogous
terminologies such as bribery, fraud, gratification
and other related offences. Offences punishable
under the Act include: wilful giving and receipt of
bribes and gratification to influence a public duty,
fraudulent acquisition and receipt of properties,
deliberate frustration of investigation by the
Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC),
making false returns, making of false or misleading
statements to the ICPC, attempts, and conspiracies.
All of the above highlighted unresolved cases of
corruption would clearly fall under any of the
classifications under the UN convention or the
Corrupt Practices Act. This is a no-brainer, really.
What President Jonathan called ‘common stealing’
is what I referred to in my new book (Corruption
and Human Rights Law in Africa) as “the deliberate,
intentional mass stealing of public wealth and
resources by senior state officials entrusted with its
fair and honest management for the common good
and achievement of human rights, whether carried
out individually or collectively, but with the support,
encouragement, or acquiescence of the state,
combined with a refusal to genuinely, thoroughly
and transparently investigate and/or prosecute the
mass stealing and recover stolen assets, which
violates the human rights of the economically and
socially vulnerable.”
Let me say a bit more about why I think the ‘over
70% thesis’ is at odds with legal rules and credible
evidence of corruption and its devastating
consequences on the effective enjoyment of human
rights in the country.
That there is corruption in the country is beyond
doubt, especially if it is considered that Nigeria was
ranked 144 of the 177 countries on Transparency
International’s 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index
(CPI). Nigeria has ranked very poorly in
Transparency International’s CPI for many years,
and the US State Department Country Report for
2012 illustrates the integrated problems of
corruption, money laundering, poverty and lack of
respect for human rights in the country.
But the government would readily dispute this
evidence. The government in fact once said that,
“Perception is different from reality.” Yes, the CPI
may not be perfect but no index is. Even so,
perceptions may provide a pointer as to the real
evidence of corruption. In any case, while real
evidence of corruption may be difficult to obtain (in
part because of the secretive and complex nature
of corrupt acts and the fact that those who
perpetrate corruption rarely admit to doing so), its
devastating effects across the country are too
glaring to ignore.
If it is true that knowledge comes from seeing, most
Nigerians will ‘know corruption when they see it’:
whether it is in decayed infrastructure, weak and
inaccessible health and education systems,
crumbling and poorly maintained roads, lack of
regular and uninterrupted electricity supply, or
rampant violent crime, insecurity (and the slow
response to Boko Haram’s abduction of hundreds
of Chibok school girls) and entrenched impunity of
perpetrators.
It is clear that corruption is the biggest obstacle to
alleviating poverty and enjoying human rights in
the country. If this government is serious about
combating poverty and achieving basic human
rights for millions of vulnerable and marginalized
Nigerians, it has to publicly acknowledge the
prevalence of high-level official corruption in the
country.
While the country’s many human rights problems
can be linked to bad leadership and gross
incompetence, high-level official corruption is
without question a big part of it.
As former President Olusegun Obasanjo once said,
“Fighting corruption is not a one-night affair. Of
course there are deep-rooted interests, and if you
are going to deal with it, you have to deal with it
consistently (and truthfully). If you deal with it
today and you then turn a blind eye tomorrow, it
will come back with vengeance.”
– Olaniyan, author of ‘Corruption and Human Rights
Law in Africa’, is legal adviser, International
Secretariat of Amnesty International, London

sexybash:
Have you ever sat down to watch. And listen this cartoon or you just look at the pictures and assume
There are some cartoons you will watch like Sophia the first and Tmnt that are educational

hahaha.. hillarious.. thatz so downcasting. look at pictures then assume. if i did then how would i have known, tom and jerry fight, how would i have known that cinderalla always comes back at midnight, and the host of others i have mentioned.some are good while some are bad the bad ones should be avoided thats what i meant. thanks Ma.

Candyrain:
OP isn't saying you should buttress opponents point or assist but rather Buhari should make his point on what he'll do right which GEJ did wrong, what alternative ideas he has against GEJ's policies and not for him to spend all his time calling GEJ names and not what he can offer Nigerians.

you got me right.

oluwafemi113:
SanTAN @ work doing what they are paid for

read the fifth comment above yours. young man.

thumbs up to all nairlanders commenting. when i posted it i was expecting suitution where people would be insulting others in the nme of politics, but we all have being playing highe sense of maturity in a way of constructive arguments which is also a basis of learning. myself and like many of nigerians, am on a neutral ground, each leader has his own flaws. my question(s) are simple, How do they(APC) intend fighting or solving the existing problems which they feel or think is overwhelming the present government. instead of going on criticizing which is also allowed as an opposition party. Do they feel they feel telling us the masses will be leakage to the present government? even if it happens that way itz still nice shey they too want a better nigeria?

After salvation, the most important choice you will
need to make is who to marry. This choice is so
important that if you miss it, you will suffer for long, if
you get it right then you will enjoy forever. A bad
marriage can affect every other area of your life.
This subject is so important, so many married people
are hoping to be single again so as to make the right
choice. If you are single please don't just be in a
hurry to get married, you have the best opportunity
to prepare for it.
For two people to come together to live in peace and
harmony, they must agree spiritually, mentally and
physically. Just like an elephant cannot marry an ant
so also a believer cannot marry an unbeliever. If an
elephant marries an ant how would they live, if a
goat marries a fish where would they meet? You
must look for a Godly man or a Godly woman to
marry, nothing can beat this.
The devil's primary target is the family. He knows that
everyone belongs to a family and if he can make two
wrong people meet then he has succeeded affecting
the community and nations negatively. Ignore your
age and the pressure for a moment, the pressure in a
wrong marriage is far worse. God has somebody for
you but you must set your priorities right. What do
you need in a woman? What do you need in a man?
Marriage is not about what you want, it is about who
you need, that will make you better while you make
him better. It is about destiny. That is why you must
know your purpose before you get married. Genesis
2:18.
You must pray before you choose. God knows the
best person for you, it is only wise to seek His will. It
is very easy to know God's will when sex is not
involved. The moment sex is involved and you want
to know His will then He will blank you out. Why?
Because you have broken His first Law of NO SEX
before marriage.
If you have had sex in the past then you need to
repent totally and stay away from each other for
sometime then you can seek the face of God.
Your marriage will not be hell on earth. Your
marriage will be honorable in the name of Jesus
Christ.
Don't marry for sex, don't marry because you are of
age, don't marry because you are getting old, don't
marry because you are lonely, don't marry because
you need someone to support you financially, don't
marry because you mistakenly got pregnant, don't
marry because you don't want to lose the person,
don't marry because of family pressures, don't marry
because you like the idea of marriage and admire
every wedding gown you see, don't marry because
all your friends are getting married.
But get married because you want to fulfill destiny.
Get married because you want to be a help mate. As
a man, get married because you want to fulfill your
purpose. God will help you in choosing, please let His
will be done. In Jesus Name Amen

It is no news now that I lied in 2011 when I said I
will not run in 2015 if you elected me then. This was
a trick, even though evil, that I used to get you to
vote for me. I promised only one term just as a fraud.
It worked then and this time I will use other lies and
tricks and the cash I have gathered through Diezani
my partner in crime to win again. The end they say
justifies the means.
I will not be the first presidential liar in office nor the
last.
It is well known that I do not regard corruption as
stealing or a crime. Ordinary stealing? *hiss. Nations
billions are there to be looted. For 16 years PDP has
looted the nation, why should I be the one to stop it?
For most of 50 years all types of soldiers especially
have used their guns to loot the nation, I am able to
use democracy to loot the nation silly; why should
the looting stop now? As the leaders, Babangida and
co from the Middle belt looted by the gun, so shall I
loot by democracy.
If looting will stop and Nigeria will progress with free
and fair opportunity for the 100 million poor who
live and die under one dollar a day, let that start in
2019; not now.
You all know that today Bayelsa has the highest level
of oil pollution in the world and people are dying
there in misery. You also know that most of our
petrol bought in Bayelsa is refined from illegal
refineries and sold at illegal petrol stations. You also
know that Bayelsa is now the world capital for high
sea piracy. We are also the world kidnapping
epicenter. Do not say I am unfair, it is in my state as it
is in the nation. I loot and destroy without
discrimination.
I bet you also know that I am funding pastors to
preach hate against non Christians across Nigeria to
cultivate religious intolerance towards getting me a
victory by dividing the nation along religious lines.
You all recognized the various plots me and my men,
Reuben Abati, Okupe, Metuh and co spun against the
image of Buhari. Even though we apologized to
Buhari and retracted the web of lies we concocted,
you recognize we did this to win. We allowed Boko
Haram destroy Nigeria to cobalize our opponents
since the Abuja bombing that we had done and we
refused the confession of MEND for, we recognized
this as a great method of victory with your foolish
minds ripe for hate. Divide and rule, we learned well.
You see there will be no vote in #Bokoistan, we will
ensure that no one votes in Adamawa, Yobe and
Borno, how can we lose with that? Will Shekau
collect the millions of people’s votes in his territory
we have given him for the polls of 2015? of course
not. They say I am clueless but you all see that I am a
genius like never before. To win is the most
important need of man and I will win. Victory is mine.
Minimah and Badeh will continue to cease fire till that
your entire north where that Gowoza sef is will all
perish. Death to you all, succkers!
Where is your $20 billion? Please can you not see
how I dealt with Sanusi? And how I control the SSS?
They seized his passport and only released it this
week not after due process or investigation but
when I dictated after he came to bow to me. Keep
looking for your missing $100 billion. You will see it
flying around towards February of next year in
stomach infrastructure. Victory Acerta!
The kerosene subsidy robbery by Diezani? Her jets
scandals? OduahGate? Abba Moro’s immigration
murder? Boko Haram genocide? Me romancing Boko
Haram sponsors Modu Sheriff, Chad president and
Ihejirika? South Africa cash for arms illegal
smuggling? Malabu? Please, Nigerians are dummies,
they do not care, na where bele face.
Celebrate Jonathan, president for life. Pastor Ayo,
deliver the prayers. Who no like, go hug transformer.
FFK, tell them.
Change Is Inevitable!!.

The Difference Between GEJ's Declaration And
Buhari's Declaration.
Why Gen Buhari wasted all his time lambasting GEJ
and forgot to tell Nigerians what magic wand he has
to solve all our perennial challenges within a twinkle
of an eye. Gen Buhari lacks vision to move this
country forward.
GEJ NEVER discussed or mentioned persons rather he
marshalled out his achievements with a promise to
do more...Let's do politics of ideas and issues not
character assassination and propaganda. His
support base cuts across Nigeria too as shown by
the different support groups....
Truth.
Its funny that APC does not seem to have a party
platform. For a party that claims to be revolutionary
and progressive the only thing I ever here from them
is Jonathan this, Jonathan that...
I mean what is their opinion on the local content
policy in the oil and gas sector?Do they think it
should be implemented in other sectors of the
economy?
what is their stance on the PIB Bill? (VERY
IMPORTANT!!!)
What do they think about the governments auto
policy and its implementation?
what do they think about Jonathans agricultural
agenda?
Do they think Nigeria is practicing true federalism?
Do they think improvements can be made in its
implementation?
What steps are they going to take to curb
corruption?
What is the their stance on Nigeria's decision to
refuse to sign the EU EPA agreement? (VERY VERY
IMPORTANT!!!!)
Do they support resource control?
How do they intend to put a stop to Boko harams
activities and bring peace to the North? (VERY VERY
IMPORTANT!!!)
How do they intend to solve our power problem?
Do they agree with Jonathan's privatization of PHCN?
What do they think of the federal governments plans
to privatize the airports?
How do they plan to diversify the economy?
Are they Pro big government or small government?
Do they agree with the federal governments plans to
privatize various sectors of the economy?
What do they think about the current state of
Nigeria's foreign policy?
How do they intend to put a stop to Gas pipeline
Vandalism in the country? (VERY IMPORTANT!!!)
What is their thoughts on the Chinese and their
growing footprint in Nigeria?
Do they support the federal governments decision to
give so many contracts worth billions of dollars to
Chinese firms?
So many questions...
But until then President Jonathan remains Nigeria
President till 2019.

Tobetoe:
look at this immigrant, u ar nt even a citizen of nigeria.... If them post abt whizkid now,u go be the fisrt to twale him.. Go and get a coloured tv bro

smh. are you sure you are a nigerian?

How do we expect our kids to be good, when they
watch bad cartoons like the ones below:
Ben 10 can change into 10 demons.
Tarzan is always half naked.
Tom & Jerry are always fighting.
Cinderella comes back home at midnight.
Pinocchio lies all the time.
Aladdin is the king of thieves.
Batman drives at 320km/h.
Sleeping beauty is a lazy girl.
Rapunzel allows men to climb in her window and
Snow white is living with 7 guys.
Come on, really, how do we expect these kids to
be any good?.

who designed those pictures?

photo means Photograph while picture is the photograph. hope you are not confused?

Every musician has turn politician all of a sudden.

Just watching...

nice question, you took that question right from my thinking. for some time now i have also being asking the same question where is this lady getting her money from? how much do they pay her when she acts? or does she have any business? or MAYBE she is close to one or some governors, sentors or minister.. jux thinking.

hit any of them with a stone or car.

happy birthday Ben, may God add more years to your Life as he adds more Life to your years. Happy Birthday ones again.

Nigeria never appreciate or try to develop talents, thatz how their names and achievements will reign for days and end on the pages of papers and online blogs all that will be all for them. kudos to you guys all the same.

who is she? we dont know her here in Nigeria

when i reach the bridge, the problem will take cre of itsef. just passing

i think i partially agree with them. anytime anyone mention those girls in sambisa forest my heart bleeds for them and also the daily attack being carried out by this sect on the defenseless citizens of my dear country. millitants were is existence before yar'adua yet he put an end to their activites, jonathan came to power nd brought bokoharam. maybe when her resigns, bokoharam will also resign from their activities.

forbes watch out for me and my fellow nairalanders we are strolling there, taking our time since we dont like rushing, dangote rushed and he is back again. we will get there soon..Any force wer say we no go reach there before end of next year, Holy Ghost.........

Story for the gods. thats how it is always said. at the end of the day its another story all together.

Ben carson you ma the do fresh air? Hope not the type of fresh air Jonathan is giving us in nigeria.

PDP government playing politics with peoples lifes. very soon they will tell you how they are gaining victory over bokoharam sect, there will be calm everywhere before you know it the bokoharam will start again strongly. now the soldiers are all quiet saying or doing nothing not as if they dont have what it takes to tackle them they are allowing them to carry out their activities pending when jonathan will tell them oya make them silent again. then you will start hearing how they captured this one and that one. thatz how the trend is going to continue till next year before general elections, you will hear that nigerian soldiers have overcome bokoharam and captured sambisa forest and those girls have being released, all in other to get the favour of the masses. please PDP stop using peoples live to play politics.

toy gun.

nigerian mentality, wizkid looks @ chris brown with bothe eyes and teeths.

hit the like button if you are a proud igbo son or daughter.

We wish to say goodbye to extratime borrowing.

Awesome

the pant of the lady with the short gown is showing out.

Mprex:
Is that a real dog or a teddy bear?

No, it is a teddy Dog.