A non-governmental organization, Fiscal Discipline and Development Advocacy Centre (FIDAC) has advocated for the domestication of the Proceeds of Crime Law in Nigeria 2022, to help halt corrupt practices in the country.
The Executive Director of FIDAC, Dr. Abdulsalam Muhammad Kani disclosed this in an event organized with support from Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) to mark this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day.
International Anti-Corruption Day is a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about the detrimental effects of corruption on societies and economies worldwide.
The day serves as a call to action to combat corruption, promote transparency, and uphold ethical values in both public and private sectors. This year’s theme is: Uniting the World against Corruption.
However, in Kano the sub-theme is: Strengthening KANSACS and OGP Implementation in Kano State.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Kani said “High poverty level, insecurity, unemployment, inadequate funding for education and agriculture, among others as the negative consequences of corruption in the country”.
According to him, despite having the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) Law, there is no law guiding how assets recovered can be managed in the State.
Dr. Kani further said the group will pay an advocacy visit to the State Governor, including the State House of Assembly to ensure prompt domestication of the law in the State.
The Head of Secretariat, Kano State Anti-Corruption Strategy, (KANSACS), Isah Mansur Bello, presented a paper on the implementation, successes, challenges, and way forward of KANSACS.
“KANSACS was signed and ratified by the State Government with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme. The strategy, now a working policy, outlines a five-year plan for curbing and addressing issues of corruption in Kano state.
“It focuses on preventive measures through public engagement and ethical re-orientation pillars; and provides globally acceptable approaches for the enforcement, sanctions, and recovery of the proceeds of corruption.
“The ratification of the strategy followed a series of engagements and meetings with the Chairman and staff of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC).
“KANSACS is challenged with a lack of management support and tone at the top of the MDAs, staff movement and retirement, inadequate funding, and lack of logistics and offices,” he revealed.
Mansur however said to move forward, KANSACS has channeled its strength in key sectors within the State Government, LGAs, and Private Organizations to halt the menace.
After Mansur’s presentation, a panel of 6, led by the Executive Director of, Center For Advocacy in Gender and Social Inclusion (CAGSI), Maryam Garba Usman, was formed to discuss emerging issues, challenges, and remedies for fighting corruption in the State.
The panel agreed that to halt corruption in the State, all and sundry must keep the public sector honest, transparent, and accountable, stop dishonest practices, and expose corrupt activities and risks.
On his part, the Anti-Corruption Programme Manager of the European Unions, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Project, Dr. Emmanuel Uche stressed that the “UN is ready to partner Nigeria to end all form of corrupt practices”.
When asked what a corrupt-free Nigeria would mean to Nigerians, Uche said “A corrupt-free Nigeria will see the return of Nigerians who traveled abroad for greener pastures.
“A corrupt free Nigeria will see Nigeria begin to lead as the true giant of Africa”.
