The US corruption verdict on Nigeria

The increasing rate of corruption in Nigeria has drawn theflakof the United States. In its Report on Human Rights Practice for 2013, the US State Department saysthe Nigerian government has been frustrating the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from prosecuting those involved in financial crimes.

The report titled, “Corruption and lack of Transparency in Government, says EFCC faced several frustrating setbacks during the year (2013)”.
The US State Department is disappointed  that “despite the arrest of several high-ranking officials by EFCC, allegations continued that agency investigations targeted individuals who had fallen out of favour with the government, while those who were in favour continued their activities with impunity”.
The report notes that EFCC chairman Ibrahim Larmode, who took over from Farida Waziri in 2011, continued previous cases or brought new cases against 12 prominent public officials in the midst of several frustrating setbacks faced by the anti-graft agency during the year.

The Presidential pardon granted former Bayelsa state governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, “who was convicted in 2008 for embezzling over $10million in state funds,” featured prominently.
It says, “While Alamieyeseigha served two years in prison and forfeited the property he held in the country, he was still wanted in the United Kingdom on money laundering charges, and another foreign government seized his assets. By granting him a pardon, President Jonathan paved the way for Alamieyeseigha to run for another elective office or to hold other appointed offices”.

The US report also notes the lack of interest in implementing the ‘Public Access to Information’ (Freedom of Information Act) by the federal government and the refusal of Jonathan to disclose his assets.
Another issue is the corruption in the Police Force. The report states, “In January the EFCC won the conviction of John Yakubu Yusuf for embezzling N2 billion ($12.6 billion) from the Police Pension Fund, which carried with it a two-year prison sentence. The judge fined Yusuf N250, 000 ($1,570) in lieu of prison time.

“The day following this judgement, the EFCC re-arrested Yusuf on the charges of failing to declare a N250 million ($1.57million) bank account on his mandatory Declaration of Assets form; Yusuf remained in custody pending trial at the end of the year”
Another case cited is that of Hassan Lawal. The report notes that “on July 4, the Federal High Count in Abuja acquitted former Minister of Works and Housing, Hassan Lawal, on 24 counts of fraudulently awarding contracts, money laundering and embezzlement of N75 billion ($471 million).
The report also touched on the trial of a member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawal, who was indicted for soliciting a bribe from businessman Femi Otedola, adding that the case which started in October 23 was still pending.

Also captured in the report is the case of former governor of Bayelsa state, Timipre Sylva. It notes that in October 2012 the EFCC seized 48properties worth N1 billion ($6.3 million) allegedly belonging to Sylva in Abuja.“Sylva was granted bail in January. The EFCC re-arrested him in May to bring new chargesof laundering N6.46 billion ($40.6 million). The court held Sylva in custody for one month before granting him bail; the court refused his request to return his passports to travel to London with his wife”.
The anti-corruption stance of the US is not new, but only shows how other countries are concerned about Nigeria. The refusal of President Barak Obama to visit Nigeria after more than five years in office should prick our leaders’ conscience. Corruption is Nigeria’s main problem. This is the best time to fight it.