By: Samsideen Ajadi
Prior to the emergence of the present government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, he had identified corruption as the major bugbear in Nigeria government. He made a date with looters and promised to sweep the rot out of the system.
It is crystal clear that Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) alongside its sister agency, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) appear to be having a nice display of their hardwares since creation, courtesy of the anti corruption drive of the incumbent.
The whistle blowing policy, an initiative of the present government, is believed to be a blessing for these two agencies in the long walk.
Some of the corruption cases that have caught Nigerians attention through the media involved; wife of Former President Jonathan, Mrs Patience Jonathan; much taunted Father Christmas in politics and formal National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, Formal Minister for Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke; Niger Delta Militant Leader, Mr Ekpemolu(Tompolo); former People’s Democratic Party spokesman, Olisah Metuh; Former Minister of Aviation and Director General of Goodluck Jonathan Campaign in the 2015 election, Femi Fani Kayode; the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and so on.
As good as the news of arrest, trial and anti corruption agency run after these people might have been, it is rather unfortunate that there is no successful trial of these corruption cases and of today. What has become the order of the day is confiscation of properties, sums from alleged looters.
EFCC and ICPC needs to do more than winning on National Dailies’ headlines. Instead of endlessly pointing accusing fingers at some figures and institutions as badly corrupt, Nigerians are waiting to see proper prosecution of looters and those who have cornered our commonwealth, without exemption.
Also, Nigeria can take a clue from counties such as China, North Korea, Indonesia and many others that impose death sentence on anyone found guilty of corruption. A mindlessly corrupt mind deserves a serious legal rod.
Nigerians should seek for a legal framework that would bar anybody with a corruption case from contesting for any offices of be appointed in any capacity whatsoever.
In all, the judiciary arm must be up and doing, free from corruption and unlawful practices because the popular axiom says “he who must come to equity must come with clean hand”.
Muhammed Moshood 
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