Political corruption is a persistent phenomenon that pervades the
Nigerian state. Since the creation of modern
public administration in the country, there have been cases of official misuse of resources for personal enrichment.
[1] The rise of public administration and the discovery of
oil and
natural gas are two major events seen to have led to a litany of ignoble corrupt practices in the country. Over the years, the country has seen its wealth withered with little to show in living conditions of the average human being. A Nigerian political leader,
Obafemi Awolowo raised a salient issue when he said, since independence, our governments have been a matter of few holding the cow for the strongest and most cunning to milk, Under those circumstances everybody runs over everybody to make good at the expense of others.
[2] Characteristically, apologists for the failings of African governments have blamed colonialism for the pervasive corruption. According to this view, the nation's colonial history may have restricted any early influence in an ethical revolution. Throughout the
colonial period, most Nigerians were stuck in ignorance and poverty. The trappings of flash cars, houses and success of the colonists may influence the poor to see the colonist as symbols of success and to emulate the colonists in different political ways. Involvement in the agenda of colonial rule may also inhibit
idealism in the early stage of the nascent nation's development. A view commonly held during the colonial days was that the colonists property (cars,houses,farms etc.) is not "our" property. Thus vandalism and looting of public property was not seen as a crime against society. This view is what has degenerated into the more recent disregard for public property and lack of public trust and concern for public goods as a collective national property.
[3]
Nigeria is estimated to have lost over $400 bn to corruption since independence
Causes
Some writers have posited about the different potential causes of flagrant and pecunious graft that exists in the country: many blame greed and ostentatious lifestyle as a potential root cause of corruption. To some, societies in love with ostentatious lifestyle may delve into corrupt practices to feed the lifestyle and also embrace a style of public sleaze and lack of decorum. The customs and attitudes of the society may also be a contributing factor. Gift giving as expressions of loyalty or tributes to traditional rulers may be fabrics of the society. Also, a political environment that excludes favors towards elites or wealthy citizens may also be influenced by corruption. Wealthy elites may resort to sleaze in order to gain power and protect their interest. However, the bottom line surmised from the views of most Nigerians is that corruption is a problem that has to be rooted out. In Nigeria another major cause of corruption is ethnicity called tribalism in Nigeria. Friends and kinsmen seeking favor from officials may impose difficult strains on the ethical disposition of the official. Many kinsmen may see a government official as holding necessary avenues for their personal survival or gain.[5] A culmination of use of official resources for private gain may lead to further pressures on incoming officials from other kinsmen. However, the fact is, the importation of modern rules on inter-ethnic political relationships is a recent colonial and western initiative that may take time to become the norm, deep allegiance to other ethnic groups for administrative decisions early on was sometimes viewed suspiciously, and an early institutionalization of a unitary system in the country, may also have led to a further familiar groupings induced corruption. Nevertheless, a modern practical approach to leadership and relationships has gradually taken a prominent role in the political process. The necessity for practical inter-depedence and cooperation is at the forefront of yearnings for good governance in the country
Corruption History and Cases in Nigeria
Pre-Independence and the First Republic[edit]
Corruption, though prevalent, was kept at manageable levels during the First Republic.
[7][8] However, the cases of corruption during the period were sometimes clouded by political infighting.
- Azikiwe was the first major political figure investigated for questionable practices. In 1944, a firm belonging to Azikiwe and family bought a Bank in Lagos. The bank was procured to strengthen local control of the financial industry. Albeit, a report about transactions carried out by the bank showed though Azikiwe had resigned as chairman of the bank, the current chairman was an agent of his. The report wrote that most of the paid-up capital of the African Continental Bank were from the Eastern Regional Financial Corporation.
- In western Nigeria, politician Adegoke Adelabu was investigated following charges of political corruption leveled against him by the opposition. The report led to demand for his resignation as district council head.
- In the Northern region, against the backdrop of corruption allegations leveled against some native authority officials in Bornu. The Northern Government enacted the Customary Presents order to forestall any further breach of regulations. Later on, it was the British administration that was accused of corrupt practices in the results of elections which enthroned a Fulani political leadership in Kano, reports later linking the British authorities to electoral irregularities were discovered.[9]
Gowon Administration (August 1966 – July 1975)[edit]
Corruption for the most part of
Yakubu Gowon's administration was kept away from public view until 1975. However,informed officials voiced concerns. Critics labeled Gowon's governors as misguided individuals acting like lords overseeing their personal
fiefdom. He was viewed as timid, in terms of being decisive against corrupt elements in his government. In 1975, a corruption
scandal surrounding the importation of cement engulfed many officials of the defense ministry and the central bank of Nigeria. Officials were later accused of falsifying ships manifestos and inflating the amount of cement to be purchased.
[10][page needed] During the Gowon administration, two individuals from the middle belt of the country were accused of corruption. The Nigerian government controlled the newspapers, so the Daily Times and the New Nigerian gave great publicity to denunciations of the administration of Gomwalk, and Federal Commissioner
Joseph Tarka by the two critics. A situation which may signal a cause for exigent action on corruption.
[11][page needed]
Murtala administration (1975 – February 1976)[edit]
In 1975, the administration of
Murtala Mohammed made reformist changes. After a military coup brought him to power, the new government sacked a large number of prior government officials and civil servants, many of whom had been criticized for the misuse of power they wielded under the largely uneducated military of Gowon.
[12]
Obasanjo administration (February 1976 – September 1979)[edit]
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Shagari Administration (October 1979 – December 1983)[edit]
Corruption was deemed pervasive during the administration of
Shehu Shagari.
[citation needed] A few federal buildings mysteriously went on fire after investigators started probe on the finances of the officials working in the buildings.
[13] In late 1985, investigations into the collapse of the defunct
Johnson Mathey Bank of
London shed light on some of the abuses carried on during the second republic. The bank acted as a conduit to transfer hard currency for some party members in Nigeria. A few leading officials and politicians had amassed large amounts of money. They sought to transfer the money out of the country with the help of Asian importers by issuing import licenses.
[14] In 1981, a rice shortage led to accusations of corruption against the NPN government. Shortages and subsequent allegations were precipitated by protectionism. After its election the Nigerian government decided to protect the local rice farmer from imported commodities. A licensing system was created to limit the amount of rice import. However, accusations of favoritism and government supported speculation was leveled against many officials.
[15]
Buhari Administration (December 1983 – August 1985)[edit]
In 1985, a cross section of political gladiators were convicted of different corrupt practices under the government of General
Muhammadu Buhari. However, the administration itself was involved in a few instances of lapsed ethical judgment. The General himself was on his way to removing a Nigerian colonel from the army before his exit from power.
[citation needed] The removal may have signalled a hard-line on corruption, it is a far cry from the 10–22 years of imprisonment, politicians under Shagari were sentenced to.
[citation needed]
Babangida Administration (August 1985 – August 1993)[edit]
The regime of general
Ibrahim Babangida, has been seen as the body that legalized corruption. His administration refused to give account of the
Gulf War windfall, which has been estimated to be $12.4 billion. He rigged the only successful election in the history of Nigeria in June 12, 1993. He lives in a very exquisite mansion in his home state(Niger-state) in the Northern part of the country.
[citation needed]
Abacha Administration (Nov 1993 – June 1998)[edit]
The death of the general
Sani Abacha revealed the global nature of
graft.
French investigations of bribes paid to government officials to ease the award of a gas plant construction in Nigeria revealed the global level of official graft in the country. The investigations led to the freezing of accounts containing about $100 million
United States dollars.
[16]
In 2000, two years after his death, a
Swiss banking commission report indicted Swiss banks for failing to follow compliance process in allowing family and friends of Abacha access to accounts and depositing amounts totaling $600 million US dollars into the accounts. The same year, a total of more than $1 billion US dollars were found in various accounts throughout
Europe.
[17]
Abdusalami Administration (June 1998 – May 1999)[edit]
The government of Gen. Abdusalami was short and focused on transiting the country quickly to democracy. Albeit, suspicion remains that quite a huge of wealth was acquired by him and his inner circle in such short period, as he lives in quite exquisite mansion of his own adjacent IBB's that exceeds whatever he might have earned in legitimate income. Indeed, the major Halliburton scandal implicated his administration, and this might have financed his opulence.
[18]
Obasanjo administration (May 1999 – May 2000)[edit]
Various corruption scandals broke out under Olusegun Obasanjo's presidency, including one of international dimension when his Vice President was caught in cahoot with US Congressman with cold hard cash (literally) in freezers. In addition to this, the KBR and Siemens bribery scandals broke out under his administration, which was serially investigated by the FBI and led to various international indictment that indicated high level corruption in his administration. According to reports,
[19] "while Nigeria dithered, the United States Department of Justice had on January 18, 2012 announced that a Japanese construction firm, Marubeni Corporation, agreed to pay a $54.6 million criminal penalty for allegedly bribing officials of the Nigerian government to facilitate the award of the $6 billion Liquefied Natural Gas contract in Bonny, Nigeria to a multinational consortium, TSKJ". It involved the payment of bribes to Nigerian government officials between 1995 and 2004, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Some other acts of corruption tied to Olusegun Obasanjo included the Transcorp shares scandal that violated the code of conduct standards for public officers, and the presidential library donations at the eve of his exit from power that pressured associates to donate. Obasanjo was also said to widely facilitate his failed campaign to alter the constitution to get a third term by actively bribing the legislature,
[20] further deepening corruption at the highest levels.
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua administration (May 2007 –May 2010)[edit]
Yaradua ascent and stay in power was short, albeit with a fair share of corruption scandals from previous administration coming to light under his tenure and going without investigation due to lack of political will and poor health. Yaradua various acts of political corruption included the use of his Attorney General to frustrate ongoing local and international investigations of his powerful friends like Governor Ibori, Igbinnedion and Odili which led to massive losses to their states. Indeed, AG Aondakaa was legendary in his inability to obtain conviction in Nigeria even as UK and foreign courts successfully tried Nigeria's deeply corrupt governors from the Obasanjo era that helped Yaradua emerge as president. In addition to these, WIkileaks revealed that the Supreme Court Justices were bribed to legitimize the corrupt elections that saw to his emergence as president through massive rigging.
[21] WIKILEAKS documents also revealed the staying power of corruption under Yaradua that saw illegal payments from NNPC to Presidents continue unabated.
[22]
Goodluck Jonathan Administration (2010-2015)[edit]
In 2014, Nigeria's rank improved from 143rd to the 136th position on
Transparency International's
Corruption Perceptions Index.
[23] In late 2013, Nigeria's then
central bank governor
Lamido Sanusi informed President Goodluck Jonathan that the state oil company,
NNPC had failed to remit US$20 billion of oil revenues, which it owed the state. Jonathan however dismissed the claim and replaced Sanusi for his mismanagement of the central bank's budget. A Senate committee also found Sanusi’s account to be lacking in substance.
[24] After the conclusion of the NNPC's account Audit, it was announced in January 2015 that NNPC's non-remitted revenue is actually US$1.48billion, which it needs to refund back to the Government.
[25] Upon release of both the PwC and Deloitte report by the government at the eve of its exit, it was however determined that truly close to $20 billion was indeed missing or misappropriated or spent without appropriation.
[26] In addition to these, the government of Goodluck Jonathan had several running scandals including the BMW Purchase by his Aviation Minister, $250 million plus security contracts to militants in the Niger Delta,
massive corruption and kick backs in the Ministry of Petroleum, Malibu Oil International Scandal, and several scandals involving the Petroleum Ministry including accusations of sweetheart deals[27] with select fronts and business people to divert public wealth.. In the dying days of Goodluck Jonathan's administration, the Central Bank Scandal of cash tripping of multilated notes also broke out, where it was revealed that in a 4 days period , 8 billion naira was stolen directly by low level workers in the CBN. This revelation excluded a crime that is suspected to have gone on for years and went undetected until revealed by whistleblower. The Central Bank claim the heist undermined its monetary policy.
[28]
Public institutions perceived as corrupt[edit]
The following list contains the institutions perceived as the most corrupt. It is culled from the Nigeria Survey and Corruption Survey Study, Final Report (June 2003) Institute for Development Research,
Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria (IDR, ABU Zaria)
[29]Nigeria (as of 2003)
| Rating | Institution |
|---|
| 1 | Federal and State Executive Councils |
| 2 | Political Parties |
| 3 | National and State Assemblies |
| 4 | Local and Municipal Governments |
| 5 | Nigerian Police |
| 6 | Traffic police and FRSC |
| 7 | PHCN | 8 | NNPC | 9 | Nigeria Customs | 10 | FIRS
|
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