The Global Corruption Perception Index reveals that Nigeria scored 25 out of 100 points in the 2023 CPI compared to 150 points on the 2022 CPI results.
This was disclosed by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center through it's Country Director, Mr. Friday Odeh the National chapter of Transparency International (TI) at a press conference in Abuja, the Nigeria's Capital Territory. This press release was signed by The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa(Rafsanjani)
The civil society which drawn it's data from Eight (8) different sources with global acknowledgements provide perceptions by country experts and business people on the level of corruption in both the cooperate and public sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Their sources includes:
1. Bertelsmann Foundation Transformation Index.
2. Economist Intelligence Unit Country Ratings
3. Global Insights Country Risk Ratings.
4. PRS International Country Risk Guide.
5. Varieties of Democracy Project.
6. World Bank Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA).
7. World Economic Forum Executive Opinion 8. Survey(EOS).
World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, the organization in it's press briefing emphasized that, while the index does not show specific incidences of corruption in the country, it indicates the perception of corruption in Nigeria and it's damaging effects on the economy and socio-economic effect on the nation's development. The index is impartial, objective and globally acknowledged as the most widely used cross-country parameters for measuring corruption.
Moreso, CISLAC /TI provided a list on key areas to explain why Nigeria showed some improvements and Areas where lapses persist.
The positive strengths indicate thus:
1. The launch of Beneficial Ownership Register
2. The Vibrant Media, Civil Society and Citizenry in demanding transparency and accountability.
3. Arrests and recoveries by Anti-Corruption Agencies.
While there is improvements in the Nigeria's corruption index, the organization stressed the need for a holistic approach, the Anti-Corruption Agencies need to thoroughly investigate and prosecute high profile individuals free from political interference.
According, while listing the positive achievements, CISLAC/TI also listed areas they perceived are weak and sought for Government's efforts to improve on.
These areas include:
1. Election corruption
2. Judicial corruption
3. Corruption in the Security sector
4. Wasteful expenditures
5. Reward of Corrupt and questionable individuals with an appointment
6. Failure to prosecute high profile cases
While there have been allegations of corruption inarguably in the past and present administrations, the anit-corruption agencies have invited quite a handful. There's there a need to ensure that all petitions, actionable intelligence and most especially a holistic investigations by reputable media and civil society organizations are looked into.
The CISCLAC/TI Nigeria further highlighted the following:
•The independence of the Nigerian Justice system needs to be strengthened to shield it from interference. Merit-based promotion and appointments should be carried out rather than political appointments. As this will win back the trust of the citizens on the Judiciary.
•There should be a proper integrity monitoring mechanism in the Nigerian judiciary. This should cover whistle blowing and other reporting channels. It should also cover disclosure of assets and conflict of interest.
• Nigerian electoral system needs to be reformed to regain the lost trust of the citizens.
• The beneficiary Ownership Register should be regularly updated with information and citizens should should be granted access.
• The relevant Anti-Corruption Agencies should ensure that high- profile corruption cases are pursued to their logical conclusion for the benefit of Nigeria and it's citizens. They should also explore international alternatives in cases of grand corruption that are trans-national.
• Government agencies should disclose as much data as possible about government contracts in line with the proactive provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the open government partnership and other international commitments Nigeria has signed onto.
• Agencies given the mandate to recover assets under the the Proceeds of Crime (and Management) Act 2022 should ensure that they establish a database where information about assets in their custody is easily assessed by the citizens in line with the the Act and the proactive provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2011.
• The National Assembly should ensure transparency in the implementation of of the constituency projects. The relevant agencies should ensure that those found guilty are brought to book.
• Impartial and unhindered investigation of security sector corruption must be prioritized to improve the deteriorating security across Nigeria. Security Votes and other secretive defense expenditures must be investigated by the civilian law enforcement agencies.
The organization also maintained their openness to working with the relevant bodies on how to make Nigeria better for the interest of the Nigerian people.
Christiana Joseph Essien
Reporting for MP3 Daily News ws
Log onto http://cislac.org for further read.