Take a fresh look at your lifestyle.

HEDA launches compendium of 100 high profile corruption cases in Nigeria

224

Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has launched a compendium of one hundred high profile corruption cases in Nigeria.

The publication covers corruption cases as at 22nd of November, 2019.

In the preface to the report, HEDA stated that the motivation behind the publication is to expose how the morally bankrupt celebrate their obscene wealth, thus glamourizing crime.

The Chairman, HEDA Governing Board, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju stated:

“The motivation for this compendium and its subsequent revision is derived from the major concern for the cascading morality in the society with assorted nauseating manifestations.

“It is almost a regular practice now to celebrate those notorious for corruption and financial crimes, such that those accused are not only revered and elevated by social and religious institutions, societies also elect them into otherwise respectable offices.

“The morally bankrupt conduct high society weddings and celebrate their obscene wealth in the midst of abject poverty in their communities and abroad to exhibit their moral bankruptcy and shame.

Chairman, HEDA Governing Board, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju
Chairman, HEDA Governing Board, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju

“This is indicative of their assumption that citizens suffer collective amnesia and record-keeping culture is generally poor. For us at HEDAResource Centre, researching, documenting, publishing and updating this compendium is not to pass any verdict on any of the accused.

“Rather, this is to document and assist the public, the media, especially those with a strong knack for insightful backgrounding, as well as researchers, with information handy enough for ease of reference purposes.

“We equally believe that it may serve to readily hold responsible anti-corruption agencies and administration of criminal justice systems accountable to the people.

“It is, for instance, pertinent for the public to understand and interrogate why cases get delayed in courts for as long as a decade.

“It is our fervent belief that stakeholders in the dispensation of criminal justice, especially in corruption and financial crime cases, are also due for scrutiny and account.

“To ensure a high level of neutrality in the compilation and publication, three independent researchers were contracted to update the cases published in the previous edition through tedious data gathering in respect of those one hundred high profile corruption and financial crime cases without any specific restriction.

“We are conscious of the plethora of cases covered under the definition of corruption and financial crimes but focusing only on 100 for the maiden edition of the compendium and this reviewed version is to ensure tenacity in updating the public on these cases and monitoring of prosecution progress.”

Mr. Suraju further expressed belief that this intervention on the anti-corruption campaign in Nigeria will continue to renew the desired consciousness for speedy dispensation of justice through the enforcement and respect for provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

“Inaction on corruption pays no one,” he added.

Explaining its choice of corruption as a case in Nigeria, HEDA stated:

“Corruption has robbed Nigeria of opportunities for development in critical sectors. It is perhaps the most troubling issue in Nigeria as of today. It is a major setback to the development of Nigeria.

“Corruption has reduced the incentive for investment, increases the cost of the transaction and provides an environment dictated by a questionable approach to issues of economic and political magnitude.

“It is responsible for political instability, economic underdevelopment, low administrative efficiency, insurgency, forced migration, infrastructural decay and widespread poverty.

“It is the single greatest hindrance to socio-economic development and it weakens the institutional foundation on which economic growth and development depend. Transparency International has consistently rated Nigeria as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

“Nigeria was once ranked as the most corrupt country in the world in 2000. It became the second most corrupt country between 2001 and 2003, falling next to Bangladesh; 2004’s report showed a little improvement, as it fell to 3rd position.

“The country became the 8th most corrupt country in 2005 and astronomically improved to the 21st most corrupt country in 2006. In 2007, Nigeria ranked 33rd most corrupt country while in 2012 the Nation got 37th position.

“2013 report returned Nigeria to 33rd position while 2014 report placed the nation as 38th most corrupt country on earth. In 2015, Nigeria was ranked 32nd most corrupt country and in 2018 it reduced to the 40th position.

“The 2017 report ranks Nigeria as the 39th most corrupt country in the world. Expectedly, Nigeria has now overtaken India as the nation with the highest number of extremely poor people, according to a 2018 report by Brookings Institute.

“Before now, India used to occupy the unenviable position with a population of 1.324 billion people as against Nigeria’s 200 million. According to the report, the number of Nigerians in extreme poverty increases by six people every minute.

“At the end of May 2018, our trajectories suggest that Nigeria had about 87 million people in extreme poverty, compared with India’s 73 million. What is more, extreme poverty in Nigeria is growing by six people every minute, while poverty in India continues to fall.

“Ironically, corruption cases in Nigeria run into hundreds, making up billions of dollars if successfully prosecuted.

“Commendably, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has recovered billions of Naira in local and foreign currencies through non-conviction based asset recovery action. Yet, progress has been very slow.

“This document contains information on the current situation of some high-profile cases in Nigeria.”

The compendium, which will appear in series on News.band, will feature high profile players like former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, former Oyo State Governor, Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja, et al.

Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.