Understanding ICPC’s challenges
Though vigorously pursued, the bill’s sponsored failed to impress his colleagues. The matter has since been laid to rest. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge the wisdom demonstrated by the Upper House amidst what seemed an orchestrated campaign to subsume the ICPC to the EFCC for reasons that could never have helped the anti-corruption cause […]
Though vigorously pursued, the bill’s sponsored failed to impress his colleagues. The matter has since been laid to rest. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge the wisdom demonstrated by the Upper House amidst what seemed an orchestrated campaign to subsume the ICPC to the EFCC for reasons that could never have helped the anti-corruption cause in the country.
Over the years, the ICPC had demonstrated strong commitment to its mandate which it had been pursuing with vigour and with all sense of responsibility. The commission has secured notable convictions in various sectors and has indeed stamped its imprint in the minds of Nigerians as a symbol of the anti-corruption crusade. However, the commission has also, occasionally, come under criticism by people who believe that it is soft on suspects and therefore cannot deter corruption-inclined persons. The failed move in the senate could have stemmed from this perception. But how far can this argument go?
What those who find the ICPC style disagreeable have failed to understand is that the maturity and civility with which it conducts its operations is actually the norm and the globally accepted standard. A suspect has rights, even while being investigated or prosecuted. He is only to be considered guilty after due process had been followed through painstaking investigation, diligent prosecution and conviction by a competent court of law. ICPC style should not be mistaken for lack of drive or incompetence.
ICPC operatives are not expected to drag a suspect on the floor. This has nothing to do with the social status of the suspect. The point is that such conduct would not have boosted the evidence against the suspect. Neither would it have enhanced his punishment if found guilty because the law had already prescribed the punishment and penitence. Such conduct could only have served to humiliate and brutalize the suspect and break his spirit, which is another form of torture not acceptable to the law. People expect the “Nigerian factor” to be reflected in whatever is being done in this country. Sadly, the Nigerian factor is most times at variance with the best practices around the world. The ICPC should not be expected to emulate anything short of the best global practices. From inception till now the ICPC investigations, trials and convictions have remained credible. Nobody has raised allegation or insinuation of bias or undue interest in any case handled by the ICPC so far.
The ICPC is an important public institution because of the sensitivity of its mandate and the direct bearing it has on national development and economic stability. It is natural, therefore, for the activities of the commission to generate public interest. It is not out of place for Nigerians to assess its performance but those who want to should do so objectively and without sentiments. Corruption is a cankerworm that had eaten deep into the fabric of the nation for decades. It pervades every sphere of national life in both public and private sectors. It has stunted and continues to stunt the nation’s growth and development. It cannot be eradicated suddenly. There are challenges in its operations, which if surmounted, would make it achieve more.
One of such challenges is the slowness of the judicial process when cases are being prosecuted. This is due to the congestion of cases in the nation’s regular courts where corruption cases are also treated. If on-going moves to have government create special courts for corruption and other related crimes are successful, it would really help the ICPC to be more effective through the speedy dispensation of its cases. At present, the slowness of the judicial process is a major drawback. Another major problem faced by the ICPC is the process of initiating cases involving corrupt practices. The ICPC like its sister organization, the EFCC, depends largely on petitions and reports from members of the public to initiate investigations into such cases. Sadly, most cases of corruption are never reported formally even though people talk about them in form of rumours or unsubstantiated allegations. It is common to find people in market places, at bus stops, at social gatherings and even in religious worship places, like churches and mosques, talking about corrupt practices in public offices and organized enterprises. But they do not make formal reports to the appropriate authorities. Yet they blame government for not doing anything about it. Nigerians need to support the anti-corruption cause by rising up to their civic duty of reporting cases of corrupt practices to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
Yet another challenge is the underfunding of the ICPC. The annual funding of the ICPC is too low for its operations which cover the whole country. The Commission operates on a tight budget (two billion naira annually). Consequently it cannot afford the financial and human capital layout it requires for the vast responsibilities it has to discharge across the country. Recently, the secretary of ICPC, Mr. Elvis Oglafa disclosed at the 4th National Conference on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes in Abuja that the Commission has 530 operatives covering a country of 150 million people. And its per capita budget is a meagre equivalent of 0.3 US cent. How can the Commission effectively fight corruption with such inadequate resources?
Against this background, the achievements recorded by the ICPC over the years can be better appreciated. These achievements were largely due to the resourcefulness of the successive Chairmen of the Commission and their teams. Of remarkable mention is the new phase of the anti-corruption war initiated some years back by former Chairman, Honourable Justice Olayinka Ayoola (rtd). Under this initiative, more attention has been devoted to preventive and proactive mechanisms aimed at effective monitoring and attitudinal reorientation of the workforce at various positions of responsibility in public service and organized private enterprises to prevent corrupt and sharp practices. The initiative which is being pursued with a vigorous public enlightenment and advocacy drive has taken the battle against corruption to the potential sources in the nooks and crannies of the 36 states of the federation.
It is a silent revolution sweeping across the country. Cells of anti-corruption vanguards and fighters have been established in States, Local Governments Areas across the federation under the National Anti Corruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC) scheme. Emphasis on proactive measures remains the hallmark of the new phase of the anticorruption war.
Olamiti is of the ICPC, Abuja