NASS endorsement of forensic institute Bill will advance fight against corruption in Nigeria

The 8th Assembly cannot but be commended for defiling the strong resistance to a change and opt to adopt proactive steps to pass the bill of establishing the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Professional of Nigeria (CIFIPN). The unprecedented action of the 8th Assembly and the leadership was well applauded by Nigerians in the […]

The 8th Assembly cannot but be commended for defiling the strong resistance to a change and opt to adopt proactive steps to pass the bill of establishing the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Professional of Nigeria (CIFIPN).

The unprecedented action of the 8th Assembly and the leadership was well applauded by Nigerians in the Diaspora and Intelligence Professional Community. This was timely because the issue of a synchronized systemic culture of white-collar crimes and corruption can no longer be overlooked.

It is believed that uncontrolled corruption is deemed as an enormous threat to national security and the sustainability of nation building greatly depends on the proactive response of patriots to do what is expedient for the common good of the nation.

We quite understood that in a multifaceted society like Nigeria, where diversity, which supposed to be a strength, when poorly managed, sometimes makes it difficult to achieve real change because appointed agents and interest groups are most likely to place self-interest and personal aggrandizement over the progressive agenda of the country, which is a misguided decision.

Regardless of the long passage of conquering the obstructions, the actions of both houses, Senate and Representatives are well celebrated, and their selfless action is now a gateway to a new beginning for the country. Nigeria, as a nation, cannot continue in the old failed paths and looking forward to a ground-breaking result. That is self-deceiving.

After a decade of a fighting against corruption, Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, which is also considered the pride of Africa, a nation gifted with human capital and natural resources, mega religious organizations and other key advantages, cannot invalidate the worldwide assumption of being categorized as one of the most corrupt nations of the world, where “fraud and corruption are committed with impunity” is a humiliation.

New innovative ideas emerged as a result of problems and it is high time for academic institutions not to sit on the defense for the fight against corruption, rather develop programs, and modify their curriculums that are parallel to the day-to-day needs of business and society. Academic institutions nationwide must join the fight against white-collar crimes and corruption through sharing of knowledge and experience among professionals in various communities, and occupations.

One will use this opportunity to thank the stakeholders of CIFIAN, “CIFIPN” who have fought courageously, specially the Pro-Term President, Dr. (Mrs.) Victoria Enape.

As a Nigerian, regardless of where you are domiciled, reading through the newspapers and present day occurrences of long history of worldwide perception that Nigerians commit “bribery and corruption with impunity” is not something to smile about. The national pride and integrity is robbed, the citizens are exposed to hostility and their reputation is constantly at stake, where the psychological and emotional well being have became a critical issue. Imagine that you are treated differently because of your nationality, how will you feel? Currently, many Nigerian citizens are suffering from the stereotype for being a citizen of a country of fraud and corruption, where bribery is the accepted standard.

Indeed, it is self evident that the three hands of government must agree to change the system for the good of the posterity of the next generation. If not, corruption will eventually erode the future of the generations unborn. As scholars and practitioners are seeking for viable options to address the problem in organizations and societies, observing the trend of events and data speaks for itself. Governments, institutions, organizations and citizens cannot be ignored any longer, and the helpless state makes it mind troubling, seeing the various statistical data, and realizing that 13 anti corruption laws in the country cannot change the overall behavior of her citizens.

According to the NBS, about 95% of Nigerians have the inclination to indulge in bribery. Imagine 30 out of 33 Judges failing integrity test in the judiciary. Then, what is the hope of the common citizen, where gross betrayal and abuse of power have become the phenomenon a way of life style.

Furthermore, statistical data indicated that Nigeria scored 27 out of 100 points on the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Based on the statistical record, Corruption Index in Nigeria averaged 20.76 Points from 1996 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 28 Points in 2016 and a record low of 6.90 Points in 1996.

Nigeria and most African countries are yet below the average standard expectations worldwide for the fight against white-collar crimes and abuse of public trust (corruption). Corporate leaders and various governments are advised to provide an anti-fraud and anti-corruption enabling workplace by promoting due diligence as top priority in their reformative agendas.

The danger of commercial and government offices becoming a plain field of corruption, is a looming threat to the business communities. World leaders and other prominent anti-fraud and anti-corruption organizations have over the years, warned about the eminent growing danger of unrestrained corrupt practices, and white-collar crimes among the third-world nations.

The problem of bribery and corruption is not limited to developing nations but it is a worldwide problem. However, the inability to control the level of corruption will ultimately affect the survival of businesses. Therefore, there is an urgent need, and can only be sustained by the involvement of both local and foreign investors to build a viable economy, which systematic fraud and corrupt practices are noted as chief disruptions.

Therefore, the 8th Assembly’s steps to pass the bill is a great move to make something different and the Chartered Institute of Forensic and investigative Professional of Nigeria ( CIFIPN) should focus on adding value for the fight against white- collar crimes and corruption, and helping professionals and various agencies to achieve the key function to make a difference for the fight against corruption.

The very important bill, which was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, should be harmonized and forwarded to the President of Nigeria to sign it into law.

Nigerians, in both home and abroad, must understand that corruption is liking to untamed fire and can ruin the posterity of the nation, the integrity of her citizen and place the nation in a state of lawlessness. The problem is now redeemable, but the strategy of the fight against corruption must be changed and we must realize that there is no country in the world that is immune to corruption but it becomes more problematic if it has reached the level, where current leadership cannot function for the benefit of her citizens,

The fight against corruption could always be a fairy tale except current administration must put into operation an enduring mechanism that lives longer than the current tenure of the administration and implement laws that prevent incoming administration from creating any obstruction of investigation process to mitigate corruption. As well, steps must be taken to increase the sharing of information, to implement complex data structure that makes changes difficult, to set case timelines with a legal penalty, and to establish an independent superintending agency that comprises of local, state, and federal structures, and ensures compliance in enforcement agencies, including police, anti-corruption agencies, the judiciary, and the authorized civilian complaint board.

Nigeria is a multicultural society, and seeking to be like other nations to fight corruption might be harder than one may think, because a society of this nature has a greater tendency to undermine their law. Then, how can you successfully prosecute white collar-crimes and succeed in the legal system?

Based on the prevailing situation in developing nations, especially Nigeria, the lack of enabling environment for law enforcement agencies to speedily expedite prosecution and conviction would be challenging. The changing times demand greater accountability for the three arms of government to do there statutory duties for their services to the nation.

History will ask, how does your life and service impact the greater good of society? Personal aggrandizement and greed is the originator of corruption but society is looking for selfless servants, who are patriotic to her nation and want to rebrand the nation that highly esteem basic rule of law, which comprise of “equity, justice and fairness” and give hope to next generation for greater Nigeria.

Dr. Mannixs E. Paul, PhD, MPA (Law & Mgt), FCFIP, FNAMA, FCIML, FCFIA, (USA)
Certified Forensic Investigative Professional
Continental Director of IICFIP, North America | Canada
President of Uniworld Corporate Investigation & SS LLC, USA