Editorial

Nigeria And The fight Against Corruption
Corruption is as old as humanity and countries all over the world have been battling to combat the cankerworm with little or no success.
In Nigeria, the fight against corruption came to the fore in 1999 when General Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime established the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to fight corruption. As to whether the fight is making head way or is being won remains to be seen.
December 9th of every year has been set aside by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate Anti-corruption Day.
The 2012 edition was marked in Port Harcourt by the ICPC, in collaboration with some NGOs, notable amongst them are Transparent Leadership Initiative International (TLI), National Anti-Corruption Volunteers Corps, (NACVC), Chaplaincy Development Foundation (CDF), ACTV, amongst others.
The question now is how far has the fight against corruption being felt by the public. As the anti-corruption rally was processing through Port Harcourt Aba Express Road, bystanders vented their anger or disapproval to the fight against corruption in Rivers State. A quick assessment of their reactions revealed that the populace has not been satisfied with the action of ICPC in fighting corruption in the state so far. The Zonal Director of the anti-graft agency in Rivers, Mr. Ndu Okparaibea however dismissed such claims. He hinged his reasons on the ground that the Act that established ICPC does not allow it to swoop on corruption perpetrators unless a formal petition is sent to the commission. He also lamented poor funding of the body, as well as the low staff strength, which he said has been bedeviling the body.
What is important to the public is that the impact of the fight against corruption is yet to be felt.
We are yet to hear of convictions of corrupt officers secured by the ICPC, EFCC or other related agencies in Rivers State. Some political heavy weights accused of corruption who were threatened with arrest and prosecution have been let out of the hook.
We have even heard of some of them who obtained reprieve from the courts by way of injunction that the country does not have the right to try them or probe their administration. We now wonder where Nigeria derives such laws from that a public officer serving or retired cannot be probed by the same authority, that is the people that gave them the mandate.
Why are they then called public servants or political office holders when their actions or inactions cannot be challenged by the people who instituted them.
In Asian continent or other Western countries, public office holders resign their appointments once some negative things touching on the people happen or is perceived against their offices. For instance, just recently, the Minister of Transport in India, resigned his appointment following an accident involving a train and a bus conveying students to school, where over 20 school children died.
We are yet to see such display of concern or commitment by public office holders in Nigeria. Our prayer is that the “Asian Spirit” one day reaches Nigeria.
We believe that the fight against corruption can only be won when all Nigerians see themselves as crusaders of war against corruption.
The impact may not be automatic, but it is important to show commitment on the fight against corruption. We suggest that special courts be established to handle corruption cases to quicken the process.
Time to act is now. ###