LAGOS, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Anthony Sani was until recently National Publicity Secretary, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). In this interview with AUGUSTINE ADAH, he speaks on the ability of EFCC under President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption. Excerpts:
I think EFCC can deliver on the promise of its existence under President Buhari, precisely because the problems of EFCC have to do with the leadership of the nation. Unless the leadership buys into its existence, we cannot expect the agency to deliver.
You would recall that the immediate past government was variously accused by some notable people that Mr. President’s body language did not tally with fighting corruption. The bottleneck is said to be at the top. The Hausa people say “idan Sallah ya la la ce a gan laifi Leman”.
As far as the issue of President Buhari is concerned, what made people to vote for him were his integrity and honesty that come with his character. As a result, he cannot afford to lose the only credible asset he is believed to have. And so Mr. President must support the anti-graft agency in not only words but also actions. He must also go further by rewiring the politics, re-engineer our sense of justice, and make mercy smarter and hope more strategic after which he can dare the rest of us to follow. A situation where indicted public officers end up being elected into our legislature does not give any stigma to corrupt practices. This practice must stop if the fight against corruption is to be prosecuted to the later. The fears have been the judiciary which delivers on technical justice at the expense of substantive justice. This situation sets free indicted people and ends up offending many people’s sense of justice.
This time around we can make a change and allow a better reform that would make it difficult to set indicted free without facing justice. There is need for judicial reforms about our criminal justice in favour of substantive justice. EFCC can perform, given purposeful leadership and the best in every one. Looking at the new helmsman and his pedigree, one is confident that he would give the necessary support to the anti-graft agency to succeed, because the President is more committed to maintaining the integrity he was known for many years. It is a good start for the new government and it is a sign that it is not going to be business as usual.
Credit: Daily Independent (Nigeria)
