MAHMOOD ABDULBASIT ADEWOLE
LL.B (UDUS), B.L YENAGOA (IN VIEW)
INTRODUCTION:
The country Nigeria, at present, is no doubt passing through a trying moment; which is caused by decade of negligence of human and moral values that have contributed into the outright social and economic vices like stealing, embezzlement, as well as bribery and corruption among others. It is therefore imperative to embark on intellectual voyage in order to clear what has been obscured, for a lot of opinions are outside [especially in the media and during private discussion] on the justification of challenging individuals, organizations, as well as institutions that are culpable on various acts of corruption. It is pertinent to state from the onset that the cause of this menace is not limited to those in the position of authority alone, but even the subject (ordinary citizens).
DEFINITION OF CORRUPTION:
The Black’s Law Dictionary defines the term “Corruption” to mean “the act of doing something with an intent to give some advantage inconsistent with official duty and the rights of others, a fiduciary or official use of a station or office to procure some benefit either personally or for someone else, contrary to the rights of others…an impairment of integrity, virtue or moral principles; especially impairment of a public official’s duty by bribery”.
Corruption connotes impropriety and encompasses all forms of reprehensible, indecorous and infamous conduct in the performance of some official and non-official responsibilities. This means, any act which go out of any normal societal behavior; section 2 of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission’s Act (2000) has a full list of these.
The Transparency International definition of corruption as “the misuse of entrusted power for private gain” is a simpler but more encompassing definition which covers all the bases outlined in the other two aforementioned. From the foregoing, one can reasonably sum up that corruption is the abuse of any fiduciary position to procure some undue benefits, either to oneself or another; contrary to the right of others or the acceptable and lawful standard.
THE MANIFESTATIONS OF CORRUPTION IN THE SOCIETY:
The manifestations of corruption in the contemporary society are in different forms. These include but are not limited to; illegitimate use of power to benefit private interest, giving and taking of bribe so that the truth be concealed or gain an undue advantage, forgery, nepotism, extortion, fraud, embezzlement of public fund for personal use, as well as other acts which are considered to be criminal acts according to the law of the society and nature. Consequently, the aforementioned faces of corruption result in the inadequacy of resources for addressing issues bothering on the nation’s growth, since the funds allocated for these purposes are misapplied and illegal levies are demanded before doing the right thing. It is a well-known fact that corruption is found virtually in every sector of the Nigerian system of governance; the situation has worsen to the extent that even the little ones are yearning for the same notion of being corrupt when they are grown up, for their understanding is that the short and fast way to succeed in this pitiable country is via corruption.
Generally speaking, corruption exists when a person in power has the right to make decisions that bothers on the interests of others, especially the poor majority. A few specific examples of the faces of corruption from Nigeria, as well as few African countries will illuminate this further.
It is bitter fact to state that corruption is a common feature of not only Nigeria, but many other African nations, and the citizens embraced this menace so much that if an individual is in the position of authority and has the opportunity of being corrupt but choose not to be corrupted, the common and expected result that he would receive includes but not limited to; disrespect from his family members, humiliation from his community and the act of belittling from virtually all those around him. This is because this set of people who are close to him and or those who might have helped him in one way or the other to get that position expect to receive mundane materials and or favours in return; regardless of how he would come about it. But since he could not meet up to their expectation because he has choosing to be incorruptible; but rather contented with his rightful salary and or allowance, he would be orally crucified by them. This is typical and pitiable situation of the society we all live in.
According to an update gotten through Wikipedia search, in Sierra Leone, when a complaint is made to the police, the complainant would be requested to “buy pen and paper” - which is a way of having the complainant bribe the investigator. This would immediately impose a financial burden on such a complainant. Where the demand was not met the complainant would not be taken seriously and a police report, if required, would not be issued. She would give up her complaint after several visits to the police station. There are similar experiences in Nigeria and Ghana, where it has been found necessary to “motivate” or “mobilize” the law enforcement agents when complaints are made. The perception is that even where mobilization has been done, the resolution of the problem is often in favour of the greater “mobiliser” This makes the whole concept of rights enforcement expensive and tedious. This has led to a general loss of faith in the ability to obtain justice through the law enforcement agencies as justice comes at a price which the women are often not able to afford.
In Nigeria, corruption wears many unattractive clothes. The situation has made many people feel a lot of pains, for the resources which ought to have been used as poverty alleviation; or to better the lives of many Nigerians and develop the country are rather channeled to the pockets of small group of persons. More so, it may interest one to know that the areas where corruption is observed in the country are not only in the public sector or in politics, as it is difficult to enter any sector in Nigeria without observing one corrupt practice or the other.
For example, in many hospitals and medical centres, patients are made to buy medication and or pay for medical services which should ordinarily be provided for free or made affordable. Situations of false scarcity are designed; thereby forcing patients not only to pay the service providers for items which are available, but also show gratitude for the favour done in providing the so-called “exclusive” service which has been rendered to them; what a pitiable situation!
Also, in the educational sector, parents are often forced to pay bribes to enable their wards gain admission to schools or receive training facilities. Stories abound of female students being asked to submit their bodies in return for good grades. Purchases of lecture notes have also been made a precondition to achieving satisfactory grades in some schools’ examinations. After graduation, people are neither chosen for employment nor contracts based on merit, it is no longer about what you know or what you can positively offer, it is rather about who you know in top political offices and or the so-called prominent in the society; what a disastrous situation!
Another prevalent face of corruption in the country is through fraudulent internet activity dominated by cyber criminals. This is a situation whereby some Nigerians who lack the requisite knowledge and skills to secure legit jobs and earn good money, find internet fraud as an alternate. Some are into scamming people using illegal means; some host websites online and claim to be giving jobs to job seekers and they scam those who fall prey to their tricks, while some have been stolen directly from others bank accounts through their dubious and unlawful means. Other causes of corruption among others include; unemployment, poor youth empowerment, greed, poverty and Low wages in civil service. In a situation where public wages are low, public servants may be compelled to use their official positions to collect bribes as a way of making ends meet, especially when the chances of being caught are low.
EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION ON NATION-BUILDING:
The consequences of corruption are also numerous, so this attempt is just to mention but few as postulated by one Nigerian prolific writer on a similar topic, and these four shall be enumerated and explained as follows:
Poor Investment: Companies that would have invested in Nigeria are afraid because they do not know if the corrupt practice will ruin their industries in time. Because of this, they refuse to invest in Nigeria, since the purpose of investing is to make profits, and this seems like a myth to them here in our country. More so, unemployment in Nigeria would have been drastically reduced if those investors had come to invest their companies here.
Rise in Poverty: In a situation whereby the heads of public service are busy laundering the money that is supposed to be used to create employment for the masses and reduce the level of poverty, then poverty would definitely continue to rise in the country; just like we experienced its rise as statistically shown between 2004 and 2008 in Nigeria.
Poor National Development: Corruption is indeed a menace that has been hindering the development of our dear nation (Nigeria), and this occurs when there is diversion of the nation’s developmental resources for private gain; knowing fully that there can’t be any meaningful development in a corrupt society.
National Crises and Insecurity: The insecurity in the country which has been brought about by different devilish formidable sects like Boko-Haram in the northern Nigeria, Fulani herdsmen in the Southern Nigeria, Oduduwa group in the Western region, as well as the Niger Delta militants in the Eastern part of the country are all consequence of corruption. Corrupt powerful individuals are fighting the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, just like they did to the past administration of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; by using the aforementioned groups as their agents because they do not want the government to succeed in her fight against corruption, since they are culprits.
FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GROWTH OF CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA:
At this juncture, it is important and relevant to state that many factors are responsible for the rapid increase of corruption in Nigeria, but these can be sum up into three (3) main factors, namely; Socio-economic factor, Government-related factor, as well as Spiritual factor.
Socio-Economic Factor: Corruption is also said to be highly related to materialistic tendencies, which can be due to real needs caused by income or greed and desire to live well beyond one's means. When this happens, it can easily lead to gross inefficiencies both financially and productivity wise. Those involved will find ways and means of applying pressure on others whom they can prey upon, instead of providing genuine service to such victims. We are in the era whereby thieves, looters and corrupt people are celebrated because of their wealth. When a person is fantastically rich (for instance a billionaire), people will neither question him nor bothers to know how he has reached that state, and this is because most of us in the present world believe in materialism. If a person has fleet of cars, several companies and petrol filling stations, many houses and the likes, people will not even care to query him, even when they know that his legit salary cannot suffice in accumulating those properties.
Government-Related Factor: National development connotes progress in all ramifications of the nation; ranging from the construction of good roads, stable flow of water, regular supply of electricity, minimal cases of poverty, ignorance,
diseases and accidents, as well as zero tolerance for corruption. However, in Nigeria, a country where corruption seems to be in the DNA of the so-called constituted authority, many citizens feel lot of pains and discomfort, as the money which ought to be used to reduce suffering in the country are being directed into the pockets of small but cruel group of individuals; purporting to be representing and serving public interest. Alas! The people who ought to participate majorly in building the nation is actually the main executor of the nation’s downfall, whereas the bitter but golden truth is that no State will be developed when corruption becomes the order of the day.
Spiritual Factor: This is a situation whereby a believer abstain himself from selfish interest and refuses to be governed by his desires, for such person will be said to be controlled by the spirit of God, because he is been guided by the teachings of Islam. Conversely, when a person has no sense of shame i.e., one who does not care whether his status (as a believer) before His Lord or dignity before men would be diminished; resulting from his bad and or sinful acts, then such person is been controlled by Satanic spirit, and this is no doubt the position where many Nigerians in this contemporary era have chosen to be.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
From the foregoing, the possible way out from the cankerworm (corruption) which has served as the major hindrance to nation-building include but not limited to; unity, contentment, ensuring proper trial and convictions of corrupt practices irrespective of the caliber of those involved, creation of employment, regular public awareness and education on the concept of corruption, its destructive effects on nation building, as well as collective efforts and or fight against corruption by all and sundry, among others.
CONCLUSION:
Corruption is no doubt, a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the golden fabric of our dear nation. Discussed are the different definitions and faces of corruption, factors responsible for it, its effects, and the possible solutions from the menace in order to have rapid national development. However, it is pertinent to state that the fight against corruption in Nigeria requires a holistic approach from both the leaders and its subjects. Simply put, every citizen of this nation should endeavor to be the light with which other people can see and the change that he wants in others.
MAHMOOD ABDULBASIT ADEWOLE
LL.B (UDUS), B.L YENAGOA (IN VIEW)
abdulbasitadewole@gmail.com
08167744049
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