Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Laws Are Weak – EFCC Official

Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Laws Are Weak – EFCC Official

The South East Zonal Head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC , Adamu Hamisu Danmusa has stated that one of the major factors militating against efforts at eradicating corruption it in the country, is weak anti-corruption laws that tend to embolden the corrupt, especially politically exposed persons.

Danmusa made the submission on Thursday March 22, 2018 while delivering a paper entitled “ The Identified Economic and Financial Crimes in Governance” at a two-day workshop organized by the Enugu State Government in conjunction with the law firm of Theodore N. Azodo and Co., for newly elected Local Government Chairmen and their Treasurers in Enugu State at the Universal Hotel, Independence Layout, Enugu. 

“After all said and done, the reality is that laws establishing anti-graft agencies and other Acts guiding their operations are weak so much that it seem to favour the corrupt and powerful in our society more than the weak and vulnerable,” he said.

Citing the Money Laundering Acts which he said was weak in its penalties for offenders, Danmusa said the Advance Fee Fraud and the Public Procurement Act had stricter deterrence in penalties for offenders in comparison to the MLA.

“ Just imagine if all the laws relating to financial and economic crimes are to have strict deterrent features that will not give any option of fine but rather imprisonment or both, people will certainly think twice before committing crime.”

Danmusa who called on participants and other Nigerians present at the event to key into the whistle blowers policy of the federal government which he said, was not only rewarding but guarantees whistle blowers’ confidentiality and protection, further stated that for Nigeria to truly avert corruption, those who see governance as avenue for acquiring wealth has no business occupying public position; and that citizens must all subscribe to high ethical, moral and political values. 

Earlier while declaring the event open, the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. G.O.C Ajah cautioned the participants to recognize the expectations of their people and be prudent, equitable ,fair and accountable. 

The Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, Chijoke Edoga in a brief remark said that the Chairmen should be careful not to take anything for granted now they are public officials and that they should ask themselves if corruption ever pays anyone before succumbing to any temptation to be corrupt.

In his paper, “An Appraisal of the Legal Framework of The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission” a senior prosecutor with the legal and prosecution department of the Commission, Johnson Ojogbane gave a thorough analysis of the legal framework of EFCC in terms of its function, responsibilities, duties and powers and how they all relate to the work expected of the local government chairmen.