By Chukwudi Anagbogu.
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For many years, the Nigerian antigraft agency, the EFCC has been allegedly recovering funds looted by prominent office holders. From the regime of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to the current administration of Ibrahim Magu, trillions of naira have been said to have been recovered. While we applaud this unprecedented giant stride, we often forget to question the whereabouts of these 'recovered loots'. Or are these great recoveries just mere propaganda to make us believe that the war against corruption is actually being fought?
It is now common knowledge that Nigeria is currently going through unprecedented economic haemorrhage, worsened by the drop in oil prices. Forget it, Nigeria is poor today because of uncontrolled merciless siphoning of the treasury by every Tom, dick and Harry saddled with the responsibility of managing our Commonwealth. Salaries are not being paid by states who actually get monthly allocations from the federal government as well as generate revenue internally, despite the fact that Nigerian civil servants are actually underpaid, and the employment ratio is actually abysmal. That's by the way. But wait a moment, has anyone ever tried to X-ray the rot in our government universities? That's a story for another day.
The loots allegedly recovered from 'corrupt Nigerians ' by the EFCC is enough to fund the entire Nigeria's budget for years. Funds recovered from the Late Sani Abacha, James Ibori and so many others have eye-propping figures that can get to every Nigerian when shared even in millions. The question is, where are these recovered funds? What have they been used for?
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission cannot claim to be fighting graft when it cannot render satisfactory account of how the recovered loots, which according to them runs into trillions of Nigeria. The problem with most Nigerians is that we often show 'I-don't-care ' attitude to issues concerning our common wealth.
There's nothing to show that the recovered loots have been put to public use. Even if there is, the impact has not been felt. We need detailed clarification in that regard .
I dare to say that as far as loots recovered are 're-looted',we shall continue to deceive ourselves in the fight against corruption. The 'Dasukigate'and 'metugate ' are just a few of the thousands of 'gates ' that we have not yet unearthed. Ribadugate, wazirigate, Lamordegate and of course Magugate should be investigated. Did I just say investigate? Who will investigate the investigators? Your guess is as good as mine. —
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