In order to combat corruption in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, a shift in both the approach and execution is necessary.
By – Abayomi Odunowo.
Corruption has been a long-standing issue in Nigeria and many other African countries. Despite the numerous laws and anti-corruption agencies put in place to combat this issue, it continues to thrive and hamper the development and progress of these countries. The current approach to fighting corruption in these countries has proven to be ineffective and unable to yield substantial results. This is mainly due to the fact that the burden of proof lies with the accuser, making it difficult to hold corrupt individuals accountable for their actions. Moreover, the deep-rooted collaboration and conspiracy of actors, including financial institutions, further complicate the fight against corruption.
In Nigeria, as in many other African countries, the burden of proof lies with the accuser in corruption cases. This means that the burden of proving the source of illegal wealth and assets lies with the prosecuting authorities, making it a daunting task to successfully convict corrupt individuals. This legal loophole has been exploited by many corrupt officials and individuals, who are able to evade justice by shifting the burden of proof onto the accusers. As a result, many corrupt individuals continue to operate with impunity, knowing that they can escape accountability through legal loopholes.
Furthermore, the collaboration and conspiracy of actors in the corruption industry, including financial institutions, make it even more challenging to combat corruption effectively. Corrupt individuals often use these institutions to launder money and conceal their ill-gotten gains, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to trace and recover stolen assets. In many cases, financial institutions are complicit in these activities, either through negligence or active collaboration with corrupt individuals. This further hampers the efforts of anti-corruption agencies to hold these individuals accountable for their actions.
However, there is a potential solution that could greatly enhance the fight against corruption in Nigeria and other African countries. By shifting the burden of proof onto the individual, rather than the accuser, the authorities could significantly increase their chances of convicting corrupt individuals. For example, if a civil servant on a modest salary suddenly acquires assets and wealth that far exceed their legitimate income, they should be required to prove the source of their revenue in order to avoid prosecution. This simple shift in approach would make it much harder for corrupt individuals to evade justice and continue to operate with impunity.
Taking this approach would not only streamline the legal process but also serve as a deterrent to potential corrupt individuals. Knowing that they would have to account for their sudden wealth and assets, many individuals would think twice before engaging in corrupt activities. Moreover, by holding individuals accountable for their wealth and assets, the authorities could recover stolen assets and redirect them towards development projects and public services, benefiting society as a whole.
In conclusion, the current approach to fighting corruption in Nigeria and other African countries has proven to be ineffective and unable to yield substantial results. The burden of proof lying with the accuser, coupled with the collaboration and conspiracy of actors in the corruption industry, have made it challenging to combat corruption effectively. However, by shifting the burden of proof onto the individual and requiring them to account for their wealth and assets, the authorities could greatly enhance their ability to hold corrupt individuals accountable for their actions. This simple shift in approach could have far-reaching implications in the fight against corruption, ultimately leading to a more transparent and accountable society.
Otunba Abdulfalil Abayomi Odunowo
National Chairman AATSG
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