August 19, 2024

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on countries within the West African region to strengthen anti-corruption agencies in their territories and offer them ample opportunities to operate in order to tackle the scourge of corruption more effectively.

He gave the charge in Abuja on Monday,  at the opening ceremony of the 6th Annual General Assembly of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa, NACIWA.

According to him, corruption has become an albatross to the progress of nations and building formidable structures for anti-corruption agencies to operate would greatly help in breaking the fang of the scourge.

“Corruption remains one of the most significant obstacles to the progress and prosperity of our nations. It undermines the very fabric of our societies, erodes public trust, and impedes the equitable distribution of resources.

As leaders, we are responsible for confronting this challenge head-on with unwavering resolve and concerted action. I have worked hard over the past year to strengthen all the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria by not interfering in their activities and ensuring that they are adequately funded.

I have also encouraged them to operate within the ambit of the law. This is a template which I recommended to other states within the region”, he said.

The President, who spoke through Vice President Kashim Shetima specifically dwelt on the theme of the meeting:

“Implementing the ECOWAS Protocol Against Corruption Towards Strengthening Institutions for Regional Unity,” and tasked NACIWA member states to look in the mirror and draw strength from the provisions of the various ECOWAS protocols in reinvigorating the fight against corruption in the region.

He stressed that member states should improve on their commitment to the Network and harmonise their legal frameworks to close loopholes exploited by corrupt individuals to carry out fraudulent acts.

He also sought enhanced cross-border cooperation in investigations and asset recovery, investment in innovative technologies to detect and prevent corrupt practices, promotion of transparency in public procurement and resource management, engagement of civil society and the media as partners in anti-corruption efforts and strengthening of the independence and capacity of each member states’ anti-corruption institutions.

Tinubu also announced the donation of a property to house the headquarters of NACIWA in Abuja. “In recognition of NACIWA’s pivotal role in our regional anti-corruption efforts, I am proud to announce that the Nigerian government has donated a property to serve as NACIWA’s permanent headquarters.

This gesture underscores our commitment to strengthening NACIWA’s institutional capacity and providing a solid operational foundation”, he said.

In his Remark, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and host of the meeting, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, applauded President Tinubu for demonstrating an uncommon passion for transparency in governance.

This, he said, has reinvigorated the nation’s anti-corruption efforts. He noted that the implementation of the ECOWAS Protocol against Corruption was a moral imperative necessitating the dedication and innovative thinking of members.

“The implementation of the ECOWAS Protocol Against Corruption is not a mere technical exercise; it is a moral imperative that demands utmost dedication and innovative thinking. Our presence here today underscores the importance of collaborative and coordinated efforts in fostering transparency, accountability, and good governance across West Africa”, he said.

While thanking the President for the donation of a property to house the headquarters of NACIWA, he called on member states to use their collective expertise, shared experiences, and unwavering commitment to forge a path towards a more transparent and prosperous West Africa.

“I urge all delegates to approach discussions over the next few days with renewed vigour and determination,” he said.

Olukoyede explained that the operationalisation of Ecowas Protocol for tackling corruption became imperative owing to the peculiarities of the sub-region. He pointed at the need for return of stolen artefacts to Africa and payment of interests that the stolen treasures had yielded to Western countries.

“There are some artefacts that have been taken to some museums within the Western countries and people have been going to these museums for centuries paying to look at these artefacts. So, what happens to the proceeds that have been generated from these artefacts over the years?

It is not just enough for them to return the artefacts, we are also going to demand for the proceeds that have accrued from them. We will demand payment of interests on stolen funds stashed away in foreign banks”.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, emphasized the importance of legal cooperation and harmonization among member states.

“The ECOWAS Protocols, which we are here to discuss and implement, offer a comprehensive framework for combating corruption… As the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, I am acutely aware of the critical role that legal frameworks play in this struggle.

The laws we enact, the policies we implement, and the justice we deliver are the cornerstones upon which a transparent and accountable society is built,” he said.

Also at the event, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar called for regional cooperation among member states. He stressed that corruption was responsible for insecurity and instability in the West African sub-region and called for regional cooperation to tackle the menace.

“The link between illicit funds and insecurity is clear – where there is widespread corruption and financial crime, there is instability and conflict.

To address these challenges, regional cooperation is crucial. Africa has made significant strides in this regard, with initiatives such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which emphasises good governance, transparency and accountability as key pillars for the continent ’s development”, he said.

Tuggar also called on the international community to continue to support Africa’s efforts by ensuring that global financial systems are transparent.

He charged them to stop providing safe havens for ill-gotten funds, especially nations hosting financial centres. “We must coordinate our efforts to close loopholes, enforce regulations, and repatriate stolen assets.

“I therefore, call on the international community to strengthen partnerships with Nigeria, and other African countries, to ensure that national resources are returned to their rightful jurisdictions”, he said.

Other stakeholders bared their minds on the need for distinct protocols in the West-African sub-region to address the issue of corruption. The 6th NACIWA General Assembly drew participants from Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Gambia and other West-African nations and would end on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.