Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu, has expressed deep concern over the state of corruption in Nigeria, asserting that the country’s judiciary and National Assembly have been significantly compromised.
He criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for focusing on minor criminals like internet fraudsters, commonly known as “yahoo boys,” while neglecting the larger issue of corruption among high-ranking politicians and public officials.
In a statement posted on his X account on Monday, Moghalu emphasised that corruption would continue to thrive in Nigeria due to the absence of accountability and the rule of law.
He lamented that the country’s political system lacks the will to enforce laws effectively, allowing certain individuals to operate above the law.
Moghalu stated, “Corruption will continue to eat Nigeria for breakfast, lunch and dinner because accountability anchored in the of law does not exist. Laws exist, but don’t “rule” because the political will does not exist. Any society where some people are above the law is a primitive society.
“Former U. S. President Donald Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted on charges of bribery. His predecessor, Ehud Olmert, was convicted and imprisoned on counts of bribery and breach of trust. Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye was impeached by that country’s Constitutional Court and in 2018 convicted & sentenced to 24 years in prison for corruption & abuse of power. She was pardoned in 2021 after serving a few years in jail, for purposes of “national unity” after #COVIDー19.
“As in Nigeria, same for most African countries, with few exceptions like Rwanda where there is zero tolerance for corruption. President @PaulKagame recently sacked one of his cabinet ministers on grounds of corruption.
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“How can the necessary political will in our ultimate leadership to be accountable and to enforce accountability be developed? In real democracies, this would require a combination of strong, independent institutions, the few remaining of which have been completely destroyed in Nigeria.
“The judiciary is gone. The National Assembly, well, what to say? EFCC runs after Yahoo boys and other inconsequential petty criminals. The Police Force is too busy with regime protection to investigate the mega-corrupt politicians and functionaries. @inecnigeria? Sigh!
“So it’s up to the citizens, one way or the other. They either stand up in the millions for a cleaner country, if they are not themselves too poor & illiterate to be compromised by corrupt politicians. This is a HUGE challenge. Some deep thinking and strategy need to be put into it.
“An important part of the solution also must be massive, fundamental re-education of the Nigerian society on the importance of values and value systems. When I ran for president in 2019 I proposed that ethics should be a compulsory part of the curriculum in primary and secondary,” he added.
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