By Angela Atabo

Transparency International (TI) has called on anti-corruption agencies to process corruption cases to their logical conclusion in order to reduce the rate of corruption in the country.

TI said this through the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), its National Chapter in Nigeria at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr. Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, said there was also a need to address some issues that were increasing corruption, including the pardon of high-profile convicted persons and the increase in oil theft.

Others included the opacity of the subsidy regime, the lack of transparency and accountability in the security sector and in voter projects, as well as judicial challenges.

He said these were the weaknesses that were driving up Nigeria’s corruption rate, so they needed to be addressed.

Rafsanjani said the call was necessary because of TI’s recently released 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPi).

The CPI revealed that Nigeria scored 24 out of 100 points in the 2022 CPI compared to 24 points in the 2021 CPI.

He said Nigeria was ranked 150 out of 180 countries compared to 154 in the 2021 CPI results.

“The Nigerian CPI aggregates data from eight different sources providing insights from country experts and business people on the level of corruption in the public sector.

“While the index does not show specific incidences of corruption in the country, it does indicate the perception of corruption in Nigeria.

“The index is impartial, objective and globally recognized as the most widely used cross-country parameter to measure corruption.

“It is important to stress that this is not an assessment of Nigerian anti-corruption agencies who are making commendable efforts in fighting corruption in Nigeria, despite the political interference they face.

“Rather, the CPI goes beyond anti-corruption agencies,” he said.

Rafsanjani said that TI made some recommendations to tackle corruption in Nigeria.

He called on the National Assembly to guarantee transparency in the implementation of the constituency projects.

He called on the relevant agencies to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice.

He urged the presidency, INEC, political parties, security actors and other relevant bodies to ensure that the 2023 general elections would be free, fair and credible.

Rafsanjani added that the presidency must ensure that proper consultation with citizens, the media, civil society and other actors takes place before presidential pardons are granted.

He added that relevant anti-corruption agencies must ensure that high-profile corruption cases are brought to their logical conclusion for the benefit of Nigeria and its citizens.

“Agencies mandated to recover assets under the Proceeds of Crime (and Management) Act 2022 must ensure that they establish a database where information about assets in their custody can be easily accessed by citizens.

“This should be in line with the Act and the proactive provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

“The federal government should address the persistent problem of oil theft in the country.”

Rafsanjani said that there must be transparency in the oil subsidy process and the
agencies should investigate and prosecute those found deficient.”

He said there was a need for the relevant agencies to investigate those behind the importation of toxic fuel into Nigeria in 2022.

He added that there must be transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s security sector. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Janefrances Oraka/Ali Baba-Inuwa

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