The pressing need for the establishment of an International Anti-Corruption Court has emerged as a promising solution to combat corruption within Nigeria’s public sector and address illicit financial flows on a global scale. This call to action was passionately conveyed by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) during a recent anti-corruption radio program in Abuja.
HEDA’s Legal Officer, David Ogungbesan, emphasized the significance of establishing an international anti-corruption court. He underscored that such a court is crucial in enhancing the prosecution of corrupt individuals and urged Nigerians to rally behind this advocacy.
Ogungbesan stressed that the existence of an international court dedicated to combating corruption would serve as a deterrent for public officials engaged in corrupt practices, thereby assisting local law enforcement agencies and improving the overall administration of justice in the country. Furthermore, he pointed out that it offers an opportunity for Nigeria and other nations to collaborate internationally in their efforts to curb corruption.
“The consequences of corruption on Nigerian society are evident to all. We believe that prosecution is a vital measure to prevent corruption. The establishment of an international anti-corruption court will complement the efforts of local law enforcement agencies and address the injustices in the system. It provides a platform for Nigeria and other countries to collectively combat illicit financial flows without conflicting with their domestic legal systems,” he emphasized.
Ogungbesan disclosed that not only the former Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari but also more than 100 world leaders have expressed their support for the creation of an international court dedicated to prosecuting corruption. He acknowledged that there might be challenges in establishing such a court but encouraged citizens to hold their leaders accountable and embrace the initiative for its numerous benefits.
“The public needs to take this advocacy seriously, engaging their representatives and endorsing this idea,” Ogungbesan urged.
Adding her perspective, Dabotonye Dappa, a Programme Officer at the West African Bar Association, also urged Nigerians to support the initiative for a specialized court focused on prosecuting corruption. She highlighted the issues of judicial independence and the lack of political will among leaders as significant challenges in the fight against corruption.
“In addressing the lack of political will, the judiciary plays a pivotal role. Therefore, we advocate for a truly independent judiciary, free from external influence. When it comes to combating corruption, our recourse is often through the courts. If we have judges who are influenced by the very corrupt individuals we are fighting against, we find ourselves back at square one,” Dappa emphasized.
The “PUBLIC CONSCIENCE” radio program is a syndicated weekly initiative employed by PRIMORG to draw the attention of both the government and citizens to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria. The program is made possible with the support of the MacArthur Foundation.