CSO reviews Nigeria’s implementation of UN anti-corruption convention | The Guardian Nigeria News

The Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity has carried out an assessment of Nigeria’s performance in the enforcement of the anti-corruption protocols enacted by the United Nations (UN).

The study focused on the implementation of Chapter II (Prevention Measures) and Chapter V (Asset Recovery) of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which Nigeria signed on December 9, 2003.

In its review, the Center led by Dr. Umar Yakubu discovered that although many government institutions have adopted most UNCAC norms, their practical application often needs to be revised. The report identifies good practices and deficiencies.

It hailed the Nigeria Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) effected by the Attorney-General’s office and the development of the Government Integrated Financial and Management Information System, Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identification Number (NIN), and Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

“However, there is low awareness of the NACS at the subnational level. No report is available to measure the reduction in corruption and the impact of establishing anti-corruption laws, agencies, and mechanisms. The anti-corruption agencies do not have structural independence,” the review notes.

The good practices further include the Public Service Rules (PSR), which provide standard operating procedures and policies that regulate work and the conditions of the public service. The rules affect public officials’ recruitment, training, promotion, and discipline.

“Implementing the National Strategy on Public Service Reforms and the Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM) and having a monitoring and evaluation mechanism to ensure compliance with service standards across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are good practices,” the report says.

The assessment, however, reveals inadequacy in the enforcement of the National Strategy on Public Service Reforms (NSPSR), while the Federal Character Commission (FCC) reports poorly on the application of the Federal Character principle.

“There is a lack of effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms of the Public Service Rules and relevant codes of conduct for officials,” the study shows. “The Code of Conduct Bureau does not make declared public officer assets publicly accessible, hindering verification by civil society groups and the general public.”

Among the recommendations, the Center calls for stricter regulation of political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to curb illicit campaign financing, saying a more rigorous oversight will ensure parties adhere to legal and ethical standards in their financial activities.

“INEC can prevent the misuse of funds, reduce corruption, and promote fair and transparent elections by regular audits of party finances, mandatory disclosure of funding sources, and stringent penalties for violations. These measures would foster a more accountable and democratic political system,” it adds.

The report advocates full autonomy and increased funding for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The CSO suggests access-to-information law at the subnational level to promote transparency and accountability and urges the establishment of an agency to monitor the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act and sanction non-compliant institutions.

Additionally, the Center wants the participation of activists and civil society organizations in the review of anti-corruption processes, noting that the creation of formal mechanisms for consultation and collaboration would foster public trust.

Other recommendations, “Adoption of measures to improve interagency coordination and data sharing among anti-corruption bodies; Training and retraining programs for judicial officers on ethical standards and a renewed commitment to uphold integrity within the judiciary.

“Promotion of a unified data management system across all anti-corruption agencies to streamline information collection, reporting, and analysis, and guarantee that all relevant data is accurately captured and utilized.

“Review of procurement codes to ensure they are adaptable to evolving challenges in corruption to improve the code’s effectiveness in practice; Implementation an e-procurement system for all MDAs at national and sub-national level.

“Strengthened collaboration between anti-corruption agencies and the private sector to enhance internal audit controls within corporate entities. This will increase the detection and prevention of corruption and compliance in reporting suspicious transactions (STRs).

“Improvement of financial institutions’ and Designated Non-Financial Business and Professions’ compliance by conducting comprehensive training programs to ensure awareness and understanding of their obligations to report suspicious transactions.

“Real-time online updates, especially when beneficial owners’ information changes, and provision of incentives for exemplary disclosure. This will amplify transparency and explore mechanisms for public access to non-sensitive beneficial ownership information.

“Publication of compliance with Mutual Legal Assistance requests and establishment of an electronic central database for all records; Publication of compliance level with extradition requests and creation of an electronic central database for all records.”

The recommendations equally support the use of alternative legal means and non-trial resolutions in asset recovery, amplification of reporting of repatriated assets, and inclusion of CSOs in the utilization of proceeds from disposed assets.

The report also urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen its mechanisms and ensure effective regulation of financial institutions in order to curb money laundering and illicit financial flows currently over $10 billion per year.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}