Transparency International backs Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Bills 

She therefore called on the National Assembly to prioritise the passage of the bill as they are pivotal to Nigeria making significant progress in the fight against corruption.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Chairman House Committee on Financial Crimes, Rep. Kayode Oladele, Rubio, said though the committee and by extension, the National Assembly have been able to pass important legislations to fight corruption,  there is need to deliver on other anti-corruption bills still pending in the National Assembly.

“There are other laws regarding stolen assets and beneficial ownership which are crucial in the fight against corruption, and we hope you will pass those laws very soon.

“The things you’re doing in the right way will set the tone for others in the region,” said Rubio, who was accompanied on the visit by the Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa, and the African Regional Adviser, Transparncy International, Samuel Kalinda.

In response, Rep. Oladele, reiterated the commitment of lawmakers, especially those in relevant committees to strengthen the fight against graft by empowering relevant institutions of government with strong laws.

“We know that you have to institutionalize the fight against corruption. It’s not a question of lack of political will. If the President has the political will, what if another president that comes does not have the political will?”

The lawmaker told the T.I team that Nigeria has adopted a five pronged approach to ensuring transparency and accountability.

He listed  them to include: Prevention of Corruption- which he said resulted in the Treasury Single Account; Enforcement and Sanctions (which involves detection, investigation and prosecution); Special Divisions in Courts ( For speedy prosecutions of corruption cases.)

Others he said, were public engagement, which culminated in the Whistle Blower Policy and the raising of the ethical questions of how the public perceives corruption; and finally the Recovery of the Proceeds of Crime.

“In the area of the recovery of proceeds of Crime, we have introduced Proceeds of Crime Bill,” he disclosed.

Other bills on anti- corruption in the National Assembly apart from the recently passed Whistle Blower Bill,  include bills on Illicit Financial Flows, Mutual Legal Assistance, Special Crimes Courts, and Terrorism Prevention Provisions, which he said the legislature would soon pass.

On his own part, the Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa, said: “Nigeria is the giant of Africa, we are just out here to ensure that the country and individuals behave responsibly by jettisoning corrupt tendencies.

“And also try to see how the country can recover some assets unpatriotic Nigerians have taken abroad…”

He said such an assignment takes the personal commitment of the Committee members and its Chairman to achieve and they are at NASS to see how to synergise  and collectively rid Nigeria of corrupt tendencies.

” If we’re able to fix it right, it will certainly influence other countries in Africa,” he stated.