LEAKED: Buhari’s 5 Special ‘Weapons’ To Fight Corruption In Nigeria June 16, 2015

LEAKED: Buhari’s 5 Special ‘Weapons’ To Fight Corruption In Nigeria June 16, 2015


Close associates of Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari have disclosed five different proposed laws which are to be employed as weapons in the President’s fight against corruption. The sources reported that the the vice-president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) leads a special committee of legends in law, this committee has identified the bills and have passed them on to the President for further scrutiny and approval. It is expected that the President’s assent to the bills would officially signal the administration’s expected fight against corruption.

The President has been reported to have requested legal advice on the five bills which include:

-Office of the Financial Ombudsman Bill 2015,

-National Convicts and Criminal Records Bill 2015,

-Electronics Transactions Bill 2015,

-Whistle Blower Protection Bill 2015,

-Nigerian International Financial Centre Bill 2015.

All these five bills were among the 46 rushed through the Senate on June 3, the last day of sitting by the 7th Senate. However, our sources could not confirm if the presidency gave any prompting to the Senate on the bills that led to the controversial passage of the 46 bills in a space of 10 minutes. When contacted, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu confirmed the presidency’s interest in the five bills but would not say anymore than that.

However, our reliable sources close to the President told newsmen that the President has sought legal advice on the bills. The sources, however, did not disclose to what degree the Osinbajo-led committee of legends in law has gone on the issue, but it is expected that the committee would prod the President to give his assent to the bills. The vice-president has generally been expected to lead the administration’s efforts in justice sector reform and the identification of the five bills in the initial campaign against graft is believed to be in that direction.

The Whistle Blowers Protection Bill sponsored by former Senator Ganiyu Solomon “seeks to provide for the manner in which individuals may, in the public interest, disclose information that relates to unlawful or other illegal conduct or corrupt practices of others; to provide for the protection against victimisation of persons who make these disclosures.” Senator Solomon first presented the bill to the House of Representatives where he served in 2007 but the bill did not get the expected legislative and executive endorsement until the concurrent passage by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Electronic Transaction Bill, 2011, sponsored by a former member of the House of Representatives, Uzoma Nkem-Abonta provides the legal framework for electronic transactions in the country. The bill especially becomes relevant for security agencies in the wake of increasing transition of the country from a cash-based economy towards a cashless economy facilitated by electronic channels. This Bill, when signed by the president, is expected to facilitate e-government services and promote transparency in the transaction of government businesses, including procurement and sales of goods and services.

The Nigerian International Financial Centre Bill, aims to produce three separate agencies, namely, the Nigeria International Financial Centre Authority (administrative body); Nigeria Internal Financial Centre Regulatory Authority and the Nigeria International Financial Centre Judicial Authority. The effect of the three agencies would be to position properly the country at the centre of global finance and as such attract international finance into the economy.

The Office of the Nigerian Financial Ombudsman, 2015 which was also passed by the Senate on June 3 seeks to establish the Office of the Nigerian Financial Ombudsman, as an independent body charged with the responsibility of resolving financial and related disputes in the Nigerian financial services sector. The establishment of the Office of the Financial Ombudsman is also expected to lead to efficiency in dispute resolution in the financial services sector.

The Convicts and Criminal Records Bill, 2015 aims to among others ensure a proper documentation of convicts and criminals for the purpose of keeping a record of criminals in the country.