- Undermining Anti-Corruption Efforts: The action could frustrate Nigeria’s anti-corruption war, leading to international reputational damage and potential blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATE).
- Implications for Democracy: This move could embolden corrupt practices, weaken institutions, and reverse progress made in combating corruption.
- Threat to Accountability: The governors’ action raises concerns about their commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
Forty civil society organizations (CSOs) have condemned 16 Nigerian governors for attempting to declare the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) illegal at the Supreme Court ¹. The CSOs describe this action as a threat to accountability and transparency, undermining the fight against corruption. They argue that these governors are challenging the legitimacy of the EFCC, which has operated effectively for over 20 years in line with Nigerian law.
Demands:
- The Supreme Court should dismiss the suit as frivolous and reaffirm the legitimacy of the EFCC.
- Governors should discontinue the legal action and collaborate with anti-corruption agencies.
- Full implementation of Local Government financial autonomy.
- Credibility in the local government election process.
The EFCC’s mission is to eradicate economic and financial crimes through prevention, enforcement, and coordination ¹. The CSOs urge Nigerians to stand in solidarity against the governors’ actions and support anti-corruption efforts.
