Ibrahim Magu, the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently stated that between 2011 and 2015, more than N1.3trillion was stolen by 32 entities. Such monies stolen could have been used to provide some basic infrastructural needs for Nigerians. He said 1/3 of the stolen money using World Bank rates and costs could have provided for the construction of more than 500 km of roads, build 200 schools to educate 4, 000 primary-tertiary level students at N25m per child, build 20, 000 units of two-bedroom houses across the country and much more.
It is therefore not an understatement to concur with the view of Magu that ‘some rapacious individuals have cornered for themselves what would have helped serve the lives of our future generations through depriving them of quality education and health care among others’.
I used to abscond from school to engage in street dancing — Onyema, Air Peace Chairman
The truth of the matter is that there was massive corruption and looting of public resources and properties under the watch of the President Jonathan than in any administration in this country in its existence. Reports indicate that in October 2016, the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, PACAC, Professor Itse Sagay, confirmed that N1.4trillion was stolen by top government officials and businessmen under the watch of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yaradua and Jonathan Gooodluck. Worth mentioning here is the statement credited to former Governor Adams Oshiomole and now National Chairman of the ruling APC that a former Minister alone stole $6billion, equivalent to N2.1trillion.
Under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, the EFCC and all other state institutions have been given free hands to do the needful in their statutory assigned responsibilities free of any executive interference. This has made the EFCC leadership to in 2017 made substantial progress in its fight against corruption and recovered some looted funds and properties from looters. EFCC in 2017 recovered N871billion, $261million and 1.1million pounds sterling. Other recoveries include 407 mansions in choice places in Abuja and other major cities of the country. The agency also secured 703 convictions from various courts of competent jurisdictions.
It is therefore very glaring that the Buhari’s fight against corruption is on course and shall not be compromised no matter the bashings and attempts to discredit it by looters. The successes recorded in this direction by the administration are largely due to PMB’s commitment in the fight against corruption through strengthening of government’s anti corruption agencies and the country’s procurement processes.
- Musa Ilallah
Abuja