Muhammadu Sanusi II, Emir of Kano, has raised concerns over the enforcement of anti-corruption laws in Nigeria, arguing that the country’s institutions must be strengthened for meaningful progress to be made.
Speaking during an event with Channels Television, Sanusi said institutions responsible for identifying and prosecuting corrupt individuals, as well as the courts, must be allowed to perform their duties without political influence.
He said Nigeria has witnessed cases where individuals facing corruption charges have had their cases dropped because of their political connections or support.
“We have institutions that are supposed to identify corrupt people and prosecute them. You have courts that are supposed to do it,” Sanusi said.
“We have seen in this country people who are facing corruption charges who basically just get those charges dropped because they belong to the right political environment or have the right political support.”
The former Central Bank of Nigeria governor also pointed to cases where legal proceedings have led to questions over whether the process amounts to a genuine fight against corruption or political persecution.
According to him, reviewing the laws alone will not be enough unless the institutions responsible for enforcing them also function effectively.
“Now until the politicians and those who control political office and the judiciary decide that they are going to use these laws for the purpose for which they are set up, we’re not going to get anywhere,” he said.
“So the laws are one thing, and I think it’s a good thing that we’re looking at the laws, but we also have to look at the institutions that are involved in the enforcement of the law, and that is the only way we make progress.”
Sanusi concluded: “Otherwise anyone knows that you can get away with anything if you have the right political connections.”
