Let me run the EFCC

Four years ago, I welcomed and praised the appointment of Mr. Nuhu Ribadu.  He became the face of our nation’s anti-corruption effort at a time people were beginning to give up hope. 

I nominate myself to take over from Mr. Ribadu.  He has provided a foundation upon which Nigeria can build a robust anti-corruption crusade. 

Today, Nigeria needs a more pungent offensive in the war.  You need someone who will clarify the nature and essence of this war.  It is not enough to pronounce that we are fighting corruption, as President Olusegun Obasanjo loved to do; this must be demonstrated beyond all doubt before the Nigerian people.  Not in the press, but in the eyes of the people of Nigeria. 

It is important to say this because most Nigerians still scoff at the idea of fighting graft when all they can see around them are people whose lifestyle testifies that the war may be taking place elsewhere.  This war must be defined clearly so that Nigerians know how it is taking place, how they can contribute, and how they might know they have won.

The trouble with Nigeria’s “war” on corruption is that it is too much of a slogan and not enough of a blizzard.  I would like to see an EFCC strengthened as an institution, with less emphasis on its leader; one whose commitment, neutrality and sense of mission cannot be faulted. 

What Nigeria needs is an anti-corruption fighter leader who understands that this cannot be a career.  This is a brutal, draining job that must be conceived in terms of a short time-span.  Corruption does fight back, and so does wrestling it. 

The war against graft in Nigeria cannot succeed if the principal beneficiaries, whose crimes took place in full view of everyone, remain effective and strong figures in our society.  I can make sure that they are increasingly crippled.

The war against graft cannot succeed unless it is prompt and sure-footed.  There will be occasions when procedure and investigation take considerable time, but they should never last years and years.  Not if it means the dubious men and women who are being investigated are left to do as they please.  I can make sure that no longer happens. 

Here is why: nobody who is guilty of corruption in our country is guilty of just one crime.  The corrupt in Nigeria are often greedy thieves whose appetite is never appeased.  After a while, looting becomes life, for which they create myriad schemes and scenarios.  That explains why we are now having people being hit with charge- sheets that are taller than a tree.

This is all very good, but it is unrealistic and unnecessary.  As much as Nigeria’s loot should be taken from the thieves, it is impossible to recover every kobo.  It is far more important to ensure that these people are behind bars, and I would advise the government to invest in more prisons.

What I would do is hurl such people before a judge on account of a few serious, well-investigated charges, the objective being to make humiliating examples of them and get them out of circulation.  There is no law that says that investigating other leads should be terminated; of greater importance is to make certain they do not continue to clean up after themselves or otherwise affect the cause of events.

Only last week, for instance, former Edo State Governor, Lucky Igbinedion, was declared wanted by the EFCC, seven months and 10 days after that declaration should have been made.  The charges against him: 142!  But it should be the trial of the suspect—not the length of the charge sheet—that is impressive.  Igbinedion’s trial could have started—or been conducted—on the basis even of 10 or 20 charges last June, and that would have done far more for this war.

I have argued, elsewhere, that 419 ought be handled by an agency separate from the EFCC.  If I ran the EFCC, and 419 remained under my authority, its operators would have to move on pretty quickly because it is the easiest crime to solve.  If you can commit a felony under the name of the President or other senior official of the Federal Republic—and sign your documents with your phone number—I will pick you up promptly, in most cases the same day. 

Regrettably, several years after the EFCC began to “fight” 419, the menace continues to thrive.  While the EFCC cannot be expected to be a magician, it is baffling how scammers are now able to use information from victim files to contact and further terrorize them. 

But here is the most important reason for my open application for the EFCC job: I do not misunderstand or underestimate the challenge. 

We tend to think corruption can be conquered by strong speeches and expression of determination, or by a sedate campaign.   That is a joke.

Even Olusegun Obasanjo believed his own speeches so much he said he would also fight corruption.  Maybe he thought he was fighting corruption; all we have to do is examine some of the charges being made against him in order to demonstrate that this is an equal-opportunity matter.

We must understand that fighting corruption is a total war.  You either do it, or you do not.  There is no where to hide, and the corruption fighter is a hated target.  You cannot pause to re-evaluate whether a colleague or a relative may be allowed to keep a stolen piece of chocolate.  All you can do is make certain that everything in your pocket is yours. 

Successfully combating corruption means not stopping for food or fuel.  The rich criminals are armed with plenty of money and a head-start of many years.  Even to catch up with them, an honest, determined process will have to work 24 hours a day.  That is why I will run an EFCC of three or four shifts per day.  For as long as I am in office, it will never shut down, never sleep, never lose focus, and never miss either the full picture or its finer details. 

I will run an EFCC that will compel the press to partner with us and with the people.  This is because they too must understand that in war, a soldier, not the army, may sleep.  A patriotic press must make the criminals understand just how serious we are, and intend to be.  They can choose to come out with their hands in the air, or wait to be found.

I will run an EFCC which will impose a siege on economic criminal activity, past and present, at home and abroad.  I will run an EFCC so pervasive that children will confront their parents—before someone else does—about the source of their fortune.  I will run an EFCC so potent wives will turn in their husbands rather than turn up in jail.  Nobody who has ruined the nation’s name and image should expect us to protect his family name.

I will run an EFCC that is based on the understanding that this war has only today.  That means working as if it is the last day on the job.  A corruption-fighter must begin from the assumption they will send him to Kuru or Badagry in the morning.  Every day that follows would have to be considered bonus.

We need an EFCC determined to return Nigeria to Nigerians, and to use the resources of Nigeria for Nigerians rather than its most privileged thieves.  We need an EFCC which will combat corruption by using the law says, all the time armed with a keg of kerosene and a box of matches to take care of the greed which fuels it. 

I dream an EFCC characterized by the ability to take up every allegation, and be seen to be doing so; an EFCC that could not be accused of being discriminatory, or of being a respecter of privilege.  Everything else is just talk, or talk about war.

Robot  Villager

# 1 I will run an EFCC that is based on the understanding that this war has only today. That means work...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 12.01.2008 23:02

Okey Ndibe  JJC

# 2 SO, It's so heartwarming and comforting to see you back on the beat--and writing with accustomed cogency, eloquence and moral insight--after a troubling hiatus. I spoke a few hours ago with a friend and fan of yours who wondered if you had stopped writing. And, then, here you are! Thanks for speaking so directly, and bravely, from your patriot's heart. A splendid New Year to you and yours as well as your numerous fans! Okey Posted by Okey Ndibe| 13.01.2008 00:02

Agidimolaja  Villager

# 3 I doubt it if you shall be able to run EFCC.Not that you do not have what it takes to run the agency but you sounded like a very honest man who is very dedicated to the cause just like Ribadu. They hated what he is doing and how he is doing it therefore to Kuru he must go. Tell me then,how would you handle your boss ,the President,the chief protector of crooks and rogues? He swore to his friends {especially those who bankrolled his election},that he shall protect them from the long arm of law and he is now making do on his promise. What will you do when your Oga the President and his AGF and his Inspector General of Police descended upon you and throw spanner into your wheels of progress? Trust me,you shall be helpless and this writer cannot help you then because he too is so helpless like the rest 140 million Nigerians. I'm sure that yours shall be worst than that of Ribadu.He is to go on course for one year in Kuru.You may have to go on course in Australia for four years.That is the price you may have to pay for being an honest man who is ready to help his country heal her most deadly sickness - corruption. Muritala Mohammed launched the first war against corruption.The war came to an abrupt end immediately after the man died.Buhari launched the second war against corruption. The war suffered similar fate as soon as he was overthrowned. With Ribadu being removed;is the end of the third war against corruption not in sight?Time will tell. Posted by Agidimolaja| 13.01.2008 01:03

Abraxas  Villager

# 4 =Okey Ndibe;4294979394>SO, It's so heartwarming and comforting to see you back on the beat--and writing with accustomed cogency, eloquence and moral insight--after a troubling hiatus. I spoke a few hours ago with a friend and fan of yours who wondered if you had stopped writing. And, then, here you are! Thanks for speaking so directly, and bravely, from your patriot's heart. A splendid New Year to you and yours as well as your numerous fans! Okey Hi, Okey Ndibe (JJC)! How body? How family? Iyawo, nko? And de shildrens? How work? Merry Xmas in arrears, and a happy new year! We t'ank God for His jolly mercies. Allahluiya! Amem! Ol' boiy, 'e be like sey yoo done forget to remember not to forget to VOLUNTARILY apply for our most coveted and sought after GENUINE temporary transit visa into our very beloved Village of origin (of no regret). Oya, now, now, now, make yoo proceed to the office of the Adviser General, JJC Admission Matters Bureau (JJCAMB), located on the 105th floor of the Village Twin Towers Complex, by the Square, and introduce yourself VOLUNTARILY to the good people of this our very beloved Village of no regret, in line with due process, and the demands of the rule of law, and also to move our Village forward. Shey, yoo get? Abi, I lie? When you get there, {enhenh?}, make yoo start a new thread and introduce yaself well-well, so dat make we know yoo better, so dat we go fit axe yoo many quexshons wey, na only yoo fit answer dem: (To get to the waiting lounge of the Adviser General (Ms. Dimaanu), please click here.) Muchas gracias, mi amigo. Don Juan-Carlos ABRAXAS (III) Posted by Abraxas| 13.01.2008 01:16

abdulmumin  Villager

# 5 How can Okey Ndibe be a JJC in the village square? Admin, are you there? Posted by abdulmumin| 13.01.2008 02:16

dapxin  Villager

# 6 =abdulmumin;4294979412>How can Okey Ndibe be a JJC in the village square? Admin, are you there? Becase the forum algorithm, is an ardent follower of the Rule of Law, and Due process. :) I am not sure of oga Admin, but the board has shown adequate accountability and transparency :D Posted by dapxin| 13.01.2008 02:34

Abraxas  Villager

# 7 =abdulmumin;4294979412>How can Okey Ndibe be a JJC in the village square? Admin, are you there? Hi, Mr. Abdulmumin (Villager)! For a start, I hope you realize that the NVS columnist, Professor Okey Ndibe could be or not be the owner of the pseudonym Okey Ndibe (JJC)! And even if he is, Okey Ndibe (JJC) is, by definition, and due process a JJC in this our Village of origin (of no regrets whatsoever): he has not made up to 20 comments (a civic duty, and constitutional responsibility of all law-abiding bona fide Villagers) to date, despite the fact that one Okey Ndibe may have been contributing articles regularly for publication in the Nigerian Village Square! As a matter of fact, I expect Professor Okey Ndibe to be using a totally different pseudonym from his own name: i.e. NOT Okey Ndibe! In other words, EVEN if Okey Ndibe (JJC) is indeed Professor Okey Ndibe, the NVS columnist, {big deal!} then, in fact we ought to reprimand him very seriously for lagging so much behind! How can we derive the benefits of having such calibre of minds in our midst without their active interfacing and interaction with Villagers; beyond the usual personality-centred I-am-here-You-are-There, superhero Vs. fans, lecturer Vs. student dynamic? I beg, jo, according to due process, 'e be like sey we no dey feel Okey Ndibe 'ihm presence for dis Village, at all-at all, becos, na only ilebin (11) posts na 'ihm 'e done send up till now, now wey I dey write yoo so. Na so-so articule 'ihm jos dey right. 'Ihm never tell us how 'e go fit make our Village better. No be articule we go shop, {yoo hear?} Muchas gracias. Don Juan-Carlos ABRAXAS(III) Posted by Abraxas| 13.01.2008 03:35

Sapele Man  Villager

# 8 In the real word……the law says….the law is….constitution says……proven beyond reasonable doubt…appeal the decision….5 years on ……….no case to answer. I read your article in full. I share your frustration. I share your desire to join the anti-corruption soldiers to go to war for your beloved country. But I do not share your ignorance on what it takes to fight a corruption war. Anti-corruption war isn’t a normal war where you can shoot even in the dark when all you could see is a shadowy object. Anti-corruption war is fought within the law. In a free society (I don’t mean animal kingdom!), you and I have the benefits to use the legal system to redress grievances, or to right wrongs that have been done to us. The law handicaps anti-corruption war. The onus is on EFCC to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Many people are ignorant of this fact and have accused Ribadu of double standard or not charging some people to court. It can be very difficult to prove a corruption case. Ribadu has said that on countless times. You may find this comment by CHARLES DICKENS (1812–70) in Oliver Twist a useful insight to the despicable nature of the workings of the law: “If the law supposes that,” said Mr. Bumble,… “the law is a ass—a *****. If that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is that his eye may be opened by experience—by experience.” I therefore conclude that you are not capable of leading the fight against corruption. Posted by Sapele Man| 13.01.2008 05:44

Kay Enay  Villager

# 9 abraxas, much regards. i feel u need not have diluted this useful thread by solana olumhese. i sense a drift towards okey ndibe which is not the subject in response. Posted by Kay Enay| 13.01.2008 06:47

akuluouno  Villager

# 10 While ON mandatorily proceeds for formal induction by the Don C Abraxas, let me quickly side with Agidimolaja on the first challenge that SO will face as he mounts the saddle at EFCC. Frustrations from the powers above some of whom it is not in their best interest for Nigeria to be a corrupt free state. BTW it is impossible to eradicate coups and corruption in Nigeria. SO can only go as far as to put the fear in the minds of would-be corrupt people. But have we looked at the Nigerian system to see whether it has a role to play in corrupting the people. How can a governor, patriotic and beloved by his people govern them after eight years only to flee from the state with millions of stolen funds. This begs for serious study and reserach with a view to finding out what went wrong. Good old Alams threw some light on the reasons when he argued that the abscence of social security makes people in Nigeria easily resort to light fingering from state funds as an insurance for retirment and old age. I will add to that the issue of greed because the sums taken can last for many generations and not just the stealers old age.:idea::idea:\ It is indeed a war in which the fighter like Our Lord in Psalm 121 can neither afford the luxury of sleep nor slumber: Aku in the stay at Home Church Mode:D Posted by akuluouno| 13.01.2008 06:51

---

The conversation continues in our forum. Click here to read all comments

---