Emmanuel Oko Ogar|24 July 2017
Corruption is one of the most commonest and frequently used words in the English lexicon amongst the classes of Nigerian politicians, businessmen, professionals and the rest of the populace. Since the advent of democracy, each government dissipates a lot of energy and resources in establishing new law enforcement institutions to combat or attenuate the monstrous enemy of moral and social development called corruption.
In 2000, the Obasanjo-led federal government established Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC on Tuesday June 13 to wage war against corruption. Approximately two years later, perhaps, not too pleased with the achievements of the agency in combing the menace, he, through the Act of Parliament established Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on 14 Dec,. 2002.
The Commission’s duties includes to investigate financial crimes like Advance free fraud; Money laundry, Counterfeiting, Illegal charge transfer, future market fraud, fraudulent encashment of negotiable instruments, computer credit card fraud and contract scam among other duties. The aforementioned institutions are empowered to prosecute offenders.
One of late President Yar’ Adua’s envisions was to have zero tolerance for corruption. He tried zealously to transform the awful Judiciary and the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. When he answered the call of nature, his successor did the best he could —but couldn’t sustain the tempo. He led like one without backbone of his. Corruption was endemic and he was kicked out of office in a disputed election won by the opposition party, APC.
During this period in review, one of the prominent Nigerians arraigned for corruption was the former governor of Lagos State and the incumbent National Leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Chief Bola Tinubu. At the end of the prosecution, he was given a clean acquittal.
Today, under the leadership of the change-mantra-agents, our country is buffeted by the wave of economic crunch due to the induce impact of corruption. Virtually, the face of our nation has been panned by the hammer of malfeasance.
High profile criminal cases perpetrated by public servants have been swept under the carpet by the agencies statutorily empowered to fight corruption. These institutions have been used to witch-hunt their perceived business and political rivalries as a way of pursuing vendetta.
For example, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the Honorable Minister of Transportation is being alleged of financial impropriety and embezzlement by his successor, Mr. Wike, the governor of Rivers State. The federal government has bluntly refused to prosecute him because he was one of their sponsors during the 2015 elections. If Amaechi were to hail from other clime where sincerity of purpose forms the anchor of governance, he would have willingly abdicated his position to clear people’s doubts. He and others wouldn’t do so because in our land, we don’t abhor venality. Too bad, in a confusing twist, one of the sacked commissioners in Rivers State was recently on African Independent Television, AIT where he tried to vindicate Amaechi of the accusations thumped on him by Nyesom Wike. Politics!
What about Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Senate president? He’s accused of numerous delinquencies. He’s facing trial because he’s not the choice of his party, APC for the Senate presidential position. And the man in question is fighting with the very drop of his blood to prevent a thorough investigation and trial against him. He won’t resign because Nigerians hardly resign from office. It’s not part of our political culture.
Most of our Judges trade with verdict. They sell it to the highest bidder. As such, clients don’t hire lawyers as it ought to be— but they rather buy the Judges. Recently, some of our Judges and Justices were accused of bribery and indulging in unethical practices against the principles of law profession. Justice Ademola and Okon Abang for instance are few example of Judges fingered.
Surprisingly, the Nigerian factor won’t let them resign. They have sent many innocent people to jail. Due to prejudice on the ground of affiliation and affinity; mercies have been doled to the guilty and the innocent slammed with cruelty. This menace wouldn’t cease until we purge the entire systems of governance thoroughly.
The name, Francis Bacon is a familiar name for those that have done philosophy in higher institution or history in school. There are a lots of documentaries about him. He’s known as the father of empiricism. He was a philosopher; scientist, jurist, author and orator. He advocated for the union of England and Scotland; and the integration of Ireland into the United Kingdom.
Between 1613-1618, he was appointed Attorney General and Lord Chancellor which were some of the most powerful positions in England. In 1621, he was created Viscount St. Albans. Shortly afterwards, Sir Edward Coke accused him of corruption and he was charged by Parliament for accepting bribes. He resigned, was imprisoned and was fined £40,000 and subsequently banished from the court. Later, he was pardoned by King James I.
The paradox of his tribulation in relation to a typical Nigerian scenario is that; first, he was powerful but not rich. In Nigeria, you can’t be powerful if you aren’t rich. He got the connections to suppress investigation of his trial as most Nigerians occasionally do – but choose rather to quit to avoid interference his prosecution.
At the time of his trial, he displayed a solid simplistic of sincerity and humility to fore. He said:
“The law of nature teaches me to speak in my defense: with respect to this charge of bribery I am as innocent as any born on St. Innocent Day. I never had a bribe or reward in my eye or thought when pronouncing judgment or order… I am ready to make an oblation of myself to the king.
“My mind is calm, for my fortune is not my felicity. I know I have clean hands and a clean heart, and I hope a clean house for friend or servants; but Job himself, or whoever was the justest judge, by such hunting for a matter against him as hath been used against me, may for a time seen foul, especially in a time when greatness is the mark and accusation is the game”.
When King James I heard his rebuttal, he had no choice than to pardon him. Later in life, he died of pneumonia when experimenting on preservation of foodstuff using ice. Francis Bacon didn’t die a rich man because he didn’t take bribes (though scholars are still in dispute over his innocence). He died poor, though with rich memorable name.
With all the ill-gotten wealth Nigerians corrupt individuals are amassing, they’re yet to inspire or influenced good minds to emulate them. The following were some of the greatest thinkers ever lived that were influenced and inspired by Bacon.
Fore mostly, Thomas Hobbes, a political philosopher who in 1651 published the Leviathan which in turn established the social contract concept that has served as the foundation for western political ideology. Hope you still remember the Hobbesian anarchy concept?
Interestingly, Isaac Newton the father of modern experimental science and natural philosopher recognized as one of the most influential scientists of all time who revolutionized science through his 1687 magnum opus, Philosopheᴂ Naturalis Principia Mathematic, (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy) also considered Francis Bacon as one those giants he climbed on their shoulders to exploit the world of science.
Another great intellectual inspired by Francis was John Locke the father of Liberalism and a proponent of empiricism. The dictum of a man’s mind as Tabola-rasa is an epistemology associated with John Locke. This is also followed by Sir William Petty who was one of the most renowned political scientists, natural scientists, economists and philosophers. He’s known for division of labour; fiscal monetary theory, national income accounting and economic statistics. When you talk of petty cash, just remember William Petty.
Others includes Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. Robert Boyle who is known for his Gas Law. And finally Basil Montagu.
Our nation has come a long way. We must build strong institutions that will support development and the advancement of every aspect of our life. The government should encourage researchers in all fields of learning. The zero tolerance for corruption should be sustained sincerely. We should understand that good names are better than riches. Let’s do things that are worthy of emulation. It’s better we don’t fight corruption at all rather than pretending to be fighting selectively.
God bless Nigeria.
Comr. Ogar, Emmanuel Oko
Is a former Secretary of the Young Democratic Party (YDP) in Cross River
