Corruption Manifests In Every Sphere Of Nigeria National Life- Dons

Dr Olisa Godson Muojama of the History Department, University of Ibadan and an Associate Professor Olu Ojedokun of the Lead City University, Ibadan have said corruption has permeated and manifests in every sphere of national life in Nigeria.

They stressed that it is mostly noticeable in elections, the judiciary, government agencies, procurement/contracts, payroll, and in extortion by security agents.

They agreed that for many, corruption is the single greatest obstacle preventing nations from achieving their enormous potential.

Dr Muojama presented a paper titled: “The Contradictions and Transcendence of Corruption” while Associate Professor Ojedokun presented a paper titled: “Problematic of competing or reconcilable paradigm in the adaptation of the truth and reconciliation commission model in addressing crimes of corruption in Nigeria” at a Seminar to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day, organised by Jolly Rogers (Oyo-State Chapter) in Collaboration with Grundziro Deck (New York, America) of the National Association of Seadogs popularly known as Pyrate Confraternity.

Dr Muojama said Corruption can appear in diverse dimensions, such as; Budget padding and Tax Evasion, saying for instance, the implementation of the Treasury Single Account led to the recovery of $370 million unremitted tax by the Buhari’s administration.

He said it can also appear in Money laundering scheme; Contract Fraud; Embezzlement; Election rigging and vote buying; Petty bribery for speeding up processes and for avoiding fine; Nepotism and Ghost Workers, saying the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) recovered $550 million by stopping ‘ghost workers’ on the public payroll.

According to him, “In the specific case of West Africa, the squandering by Mansa Musa of Mali of state’s resources on his way to Mecca in 14th century has been described as misappropriation and mismanagement of the national treasury.

“In Nigeria, prior to the colonial rule, corruption could be said to be a negligible social problem within and between the component ethnic groups in the country. In the colonial period, corruption was perpetrated by both the European traders and officials as well as Nigerians alike, so much so that Prevention of Corruption Act of 1906 was promulgated.

“Corruption became the principal means of private accumulation during the decolonisation period, in the absence of other means, and came to shape political activity and competition after independence. All subsequent regimes, military and civilian, have been pervaded by corruption. Aided and enhanced by oil revenues, this has created a deepening crisis of kleptocracy, shown in its most extreme form since 1984.

“It results in a combination of scandalous wealth among the ruling class with growing poverty, misery and degradation among the mass of Nigerians. Political life has become dominated by winner‐take‐all factional struggles, political cynicism and violence, while the economy and social institutions have been driven into decay .

“Today, corruption grips vital institutions like politics, the University system, the financial sector, the oil industry, the judiciary, Security and Armed Forces, Customs and Immigration, etc. Nigeria ranked 150 out of 180 countries in the Transparency International 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index.

“This ranking in the bottom 20 per cent of countries surveyed shows how systemic and embedded corruption has become in the country. According to 2019 survey, it is estimated that a total of roughly N675 BILLION was paid in cash bribes to public officials in Nigeria in 2019, corresponding to 0.52 per cent of the entire Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria”.

Speaking on the effects of corruption, Muojama said it negates the ideals of hard work and standards essential for validating and rewarding same.

“It thwarts the ideals of social life and makes the same very unpredictable, anomic and dangerous. Corruption is an obstacle to fair competition and economic growth in the political and business sectors. It also undermines ethical principles and exacerbates social inequality. Merit, quality, and character often become sacrificed willingly. It has affected the country’s domestic and external social relations.

“Corruption has been identified as one of the main spoilers of Nigeria’s ambition to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and, in particular, of its aspiration to lift more than 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next ten years.

“It has impact on the rule of law and the effective administration of justice: This has resulted in a weakened judiciary and law enforcement agencies, thus fostering a culture of impunity for the affluent and powerful. The stability and prosperity of any society hinges on the rule of law and effective administration of justice, which guarantees accountability of government officials and protection of citizens from abuse.

“It has contributed to lower governance effectiveness, especially through smaller tax base and inefficient government expenditure.

“Corruption leads to the failing of Democracy: In a survey of 30 countries across all the regions of the world and 5.5 billion people, an NGO, the Open Society Foundation, concluded that corruption is undermining democracy in Nigeria and several other countries.

“In its September 2023 report, the Open Society Foundations, traced the failings of democracy in Nigeria to pervasive corruption. This aligns with a global consensus that corruption in Nigeria is endemic and hinders its development”.

Also speaking the Associate Professor Olu Ojedokun, of the Faculty of Law, Lead City University, Ibadan said the Nigerian State faces a conundrum where corruption appears to have overwhelmed it and brought society to a standstill.

In other words the scope of this problem raises the theorisation of the possibility, appropriateness and the validity of an alternative penal justice system in addressing the crimes of corruption in the face of the conundrum.

The seminar was declared open by Second Mate of Jolly Rogers, Comrade Okekearu Fabian who introduced Mr Tunde Dairo as the Moderator.

Welcome Speech was delivered by the Capoon of the Jolly Rogers,Mr. Adesope Olufemi. who spoke on the Significance of International Anti Corruption Day.

Acknowledged the Grundziro Deck Capoon, Otunba Adesina Alagbe for collaboration with Jolly Rogers for the project.

National Association of Seadogs Capoon, Mr Abiola Owoaje was in attendance at the widely attended, even from the diaspora, as questions and comments were attended to by the Keynote Speakers, who did justice to them.

At the end of the seminar, vote of thanks was delivered by the Firstmate of Jolly Rogers, Mr Debo Adeniji.