BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU
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The Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) in collaboration with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has raised the alarm that the Nigeria’s defence and security sector is plagued with systemic corruption, saying it is a major hindrance to the effective provision of defence in a country facing serious security challenges.
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The group lamented, “Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, faces diverse corruption-induced security and financial issues. The ongoing corruption, fraud, financial mismanagement, and wider abuse of power within the defence and security sector have exacerbated Nigeria’s numerous security threats and threatened the country’s ability to mitigate escalating violent conflict within its borders.”
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Addressing a press conference in Enugu on Thursday on dissemination of a policy brief titled: “Nigeria’s Defence Sector: Persistent Corruption Risk Amidst Escalating Security Threats”, Jimoh Abubakar, Programme Manager, CISLAC, on behalf of Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director CISLAC/ TI-Nigeria, stated, “Corruption enmeshes the ever-increasing defence sector expenditure and procurement – activities with little oversight and transparency mechanisms.
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Abubakar further said that the failure of state security forces to protect local populations from terrorist violence has contributed to the proliferation of self-defence militias and the militarisation of local communities.
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To remedy the ugly developing, he said, Nigeria’s defence institutions should prioritise transparency and access to information – with a focus on defence budgets and disaggregated expenditures.
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“Strengthening accountability and civilian oversight will be critical to building and sustaining effective institutional resilience in the country’s defence sector”, he added.
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The group, therefore, called for continue support to national and sub-national stakeholder platforms that engage with the Nigerian government on key issues related to defence and corruption.
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He said such development would allow civil society actors and the media to provide input into national security strategy discussions and implementing policies.
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The group also called for “Adoption of an internationally accepted range of exceptions for defence and security that can be used in the development of legal frameworks, specifically in the right to information (RTI) law or information classification systems.
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It noted that it is also important for regulations governing procurement transparency and budget transparency
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“We demand adoption of global principles and standards for public disclosure of critical information about the defence sector, including defence budgets, competitive contracting, defence income and foreign assistance, disaggregated expenditures, and asset disposals.
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Another demand by the advocacy group was the establishing guidelines for separating confidential from non-confidential information, similar to the Global Principles on National Security and the Right to Information, stressing, “The Tshwane Principles would help limit abuses by setting out what information on budgets and procurements could be disclosed.”
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“For genuinely confidential procurements, a separate legal procedure could be designed allowing for monitoring by a confidential senate committee and a unit with suitable security clearance within the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP)”, they stated.
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According to the group, the National Assembly needed to amend the Audit Act immediately to address current trends and challenges, while enhancing the effective functioning of the Office of Auditor General of the Federation to fully interrogate financial management in defence and security sector.
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Other demands by the group further read:
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“Advocate for the harmonisation of legal and policy frameworks governing defence and security, both through independent analysis and via platforms for direct engagement with government actors. This is particularly relevant for freedom of information and whistleblowing and for public procurement processes and national strategy and policy development.
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“Adequate monitoring mechanisms for gender-related compliance in the Defence and Security sector. This will help to prevent gender-based violence and abuse during operations. It has become imperative to fully implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 to adequately integrate women’s participation and representation at all levels of decision making in the defence and security sector.
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“Strengthen civilian oversight of the defence sector, both in the legislature and the administration. Priorities areas include:
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“Enhance skills within the legislature and parliamentary committee system, particularly regarding oversight of defence strategies and policies, defence budgets and arms imports.
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“Administrative oversight of military expenditures through external auditing and improved tracking of financial outlays. Administrative oversight of procurement practices through tender board controls and anti-collusion controls
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“Strengthen personnel management systems for both military and civilian personnel, in collaboration with MOD and Armed Forces. Priority areas are:
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“Payment systems, including numbers of personnel, pay rates, and allowances.
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“Formalisation and oversight of top-level appointments, promotions, and recruitment.
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“Integrity standards in defence personnel management (code of conduct, anti-bribery, anti-corruption training, etc).
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“Procurement transparency and oversight; In particular, reviewing the legal exemptions in Section 15 of the Public Procurement Law for military and defence purchases and recommending changes that enhance transparency and accountability.
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