CSO

By Uzair Adam Imam  

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has thrown a stern warning to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to distance themselves from corrupt individuals who contribute to the cause of bad governance in Nigeria.

Ola Olukoyede, The EFCC Chairman, made this disclosure in Abuja during a meeting with executives Conference of the Nothern States Civil Society Network.

He called on the CSOs to shun any form of collaboration or support that could undermine the fight against corruption and economic crimes in Nigeria. 

The meeting was said to have taken place at the EFCC headquarters, which has recently been the hub of anti-corruption activities and campaigns.

The venue was filled with representatives from various CSOs across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, all gathered to discuss the critical role of CSOs in promoting good governance and accountability in Nigeria. 

Olukoyede bitterly complained about the way some state governments deliberately set up and found CSOs to attack agencies set up to enforce anti-corruption laws. 

He emphasized that such tendencies are against progress and development and urged CSOs to play a more critical role in society’s development. 

In his words, Olukoyede was quoted to have said, “Whatever that is not expedient should be abhorred. It is appalling to see Civil Society Organisations veer off their mandate and be supporting bad governance.

“Please let them know that such tendencies are against the progress and development of the nation. Their platforms are not meant for such engagements,” he added.

The EFCC boss commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking crucial measures on Consumer Credit and the Students’ Loan Scheme, which he believes have great potential to curb corruption.

“50 per cent of my job would have been done by the time these policies come on stream. Imagine workers getting car loans and mortgage loans at 3, 4 and 5 per cent to be repaid in the next 30 years. It will reduce corruption to the barest minimum,” Olukoyede said.

He also commended the efforts of some CSOs in supporting the fight against lingering economic and financial crimes and urged them to continue playing a vital role in this regard.

“The CSOs are critical to the fight against economic and financial crimes. Some of the high-profile cases the Commission has prosecuted were made possible by the efforts of some of the promoters of these CSOs,” the EFCC boss added.

By Aisar Fagge and Uzair Adam Imam

Comrade Ibrahim A. Waiya, President, Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF), made the observation while presenting a paper at a one-day review workshop organized by Mambayya House, Kano, for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Northwest Zone with support from MacArthur Foundation.

The workshop held at Mambayya House, Kano, on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, was themed “Towards Improving Internal Accountability for sustainable Anti-Corruption Efforts.”

Comrade Waiya said, “With the proliferation of many political civil society organizations masquerading as activists, there is the need for a national regulatory body that will be monitoring the activities of CSOs. The only thing most CSOs are doing now is self-regulatory, while Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has the record of board of trustees.”

Waiya added that another factor slowing down CSOs’ efforts to mitigate corruption in the country is the lack of proper knowledge.

He said, “It is a known fact that some civil society organizations have the zeal and commitment to fight corruption in the system, however many of such organizations lack the basic knowledge to appreciate the provisions of certain protocols, which need to be applied under certain circumstances to effectively, achieve the desired results.”

He further added that “Some of these protocols may include the use of the FOI [Freedom of Information] Act.

It is basically significant for CSOs to have basic information required to be used as a tool in the fight against corrupt practices. And the absence of such vital information may lead a person into committing a certain crime such as deformation of character and the rest, and may as well jeopardize one’s mission,” he stated.

“It is high time for CSOs to start looking for local donors such as Dangote, BUA and A. A Rano to fund their activities,” Waiya concluded.

The event had in attendance Prof. Ismaila M. Zango, the Director, Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, Bayero University, Kano, Mabayya House; Aqibu Hamisu Garko, CEO, African Center for Transparency and Advocacy; Dr Bello Ibrahim, Deputy Director, Training, Mambayya House; Abdullahi Usman K/Na’isa, M & E Officer, MacArthur Project, Mambayya House; Dr Samaila Suleiman, Program Officer, MacArthur Project, Mambayya House and many more important personalities within the country.