David Akachukwu
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Human rights advocate and public affairs analyst, Mahdi Shehu, stated that corruption in Nigeria has evolved beyond being a mere crime; it is now shielded by influential figures such as traditional rulers, religious leaders, and politicians.
During a recent interview on an AIT programme, Mahdi emphasized that the real challenge in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts is not the absence of laws, but rather the unwillingness to enforce them.
“The problem in Nigeria is not the law, not the act, not the constitutional provisions. The problem is in the implementation, in the conception, in the conceptualisation.”
He pointed out that despite the presence of whistleblowing policies, which include rewards of up to 2.5% for successful reports, the issue runs much deeper.
“What is the point of making a legal framework on corruption. When you see corruption walking with legs, with eyes, with ears visible like human beings?”
Mahdi supported his claims with two examples.
Firstly, he recalled a case involving a bank managing director in northern Nigeria who allegedly misappropriated ₦3 billion of shareholders’ funds with the assistance of his wife, brother, and housemaid, using the money to start businesses such as a salon and a restaurant. The man appeared in court only once.
“Eventually, that bank collapsed. The money was never recovered. But the man still walks free and is even given national honours. When he writes his name, you see OON after it,” Mahdi added.
Mahdi explained that two influential emirs and leading Islamic scholars intervened by meeting the President, resulting in a “nolle prosequi” — a legal dismissal of the case.
The second case concerned a former governor from southern Nigeria accused of stealing ₦30 billion from his state.
According to Mahdi, community and religious leaders advocated on his behalf, referring to him as “our son” and petitioning the President for leniency.
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“I had a clip from NTA where South-South Elders Forum, South-South Christian Forum, and Secretary-General of CAN then went to the villa and met Obasanjo, President Obasanjo.
“Mr. President, the money said had been stolen by our son,” Mahdi revealed.
“He appeared in court only once. Later, he even became one of the most important men during the Yar’Adua administration,” Mahdi added.
Mahdi also criticized the 1999 constitution, noting that it guarantees rights which are not enforceable.
“It tells you you’re entitled to this and that, but at the end of the day, those rights don’t hold in real life,” he added.
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