Develop specific security reforms to curb corruption in Defence sector – NASS urged

National Assembly (NASS) has been urged to develop specific security reforms aimed at systematically curbing the root causes of corruption within the defence and security institutions in Nigeria.

The stakeholders who during a recent a one-day workshop in Nasarawa state on “Capacity Building for Relevant Oversight Agencies on Anti-Corruption Reforms in Nigeria’s Defence and Security Sector, also “advocated for the adoption of specific legislation” to curb corruption in the sector, also called for a sufficient accountability approach in monitoring the sector’s operations.

Specifically, they called for the adoption of an adequate checks-and-balances approach to oversee the activities of the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

In a communique presented at the end of the workshop, the stakeholders called for the involvement of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the budgeting and monitoring processes to hold the MDAs accountable for the non-execution of approved projects.

The communique was signed by signed by Musa Ibrahim, on behalf of MDAs, Code of Conduct Bureau; Alicho Ogbu, for CSOs, Youth Initiatives against Violence and Human Rights Abuse and Abdullahi Ahmad for Legislators, House Committee on Army.

Further, the statement demanded the adoption of specific legislation which it argued would guarantee that defence and security purchases undergo careful assessment in accordance with a published defence and security policy.

The communique reads, “Advocate for the adoption of specific legislation to ensure that defence and security purchases undergo careful assessment, planning, and execution in accordance with a published defence and security policy. This measure will prevent opportunistic purchases and ensure they reflect the actual needs of the sector.

“Promote the integration of modern technology in payment systems within the defence and security sector. Specifically, suggest linking payments to a biometric database containing soldiers’ fingerprints, personal details, and bank accounts to mitigate the risk of ghost soldiers.

“Update codes of conduct to explicitly prohibit all forms of corrupt activity and outline the possible sanctions for officers found guilty of corruption. This step will serve as a deterrent to potential transgressors and enhance the integrity and values of defence and security institutions.”

Furthermore, include provisions that prevent fraud and corruption to contribute to the enhancement of institutional integrity.

The workshop was convened by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria), in collaboration with Transparency International – Defence and Security Project (TI-DSP).

It was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands in conjunction with technical support from the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR).

The workshop aimed to facilitate a national discourse on defence and security oversight, equipping stakeholders with the tools to understand, interrogate, and conduct effective oversight in the defence and security sector. The workshop also sought to elicit commitment from relevant institutions to contribute to the reform of the defence and security sector. The workshop featured technical sessions with presentations on the Linkages between Corruption and Insecurity in Nigeria, Collaborative Approaches to Implementing and Monitoring Anti – corruption Reforms, and the Framework for anti-corruption Reforms in the Defence and Security Sector.

The communique further noted that implementing and monitoring anti-corruption reforms in the defence and security sector requires collective responsibility and the support of all stakeholders.

The communique emphasised the need for increased transparency and accountability in the expenditure of the defence and security budget to enhance oversight.

It also urged stakeholders to view combating corruption in the defence and security sector as a personal mission, highlighting that fighting insecurity starts at an individual level.

The communique calls for the adoption of “an adequate checks-and-balances approach to oversee the activities of the MDAs (Ministries, Departments, and Agencies). Involvement of civil society organisations (CSOs) in the budgeting and monitoring processes to hold the MDAs accountable for the non-execution of approved projects.”

Others are, “Implementation of merit-based recruitment practices through -proper vetting. Promoting merit-based promotions within the defence and security sector.

Advocating for the amendment of the Procurement Act to promote transparency and accountability within the defence and security sector.”

The rest are, “Strengthening the capacity of oversight agencies to act and fight corruption by amending relevant establishment acts, if necessary, and providing adequate funding for their oversight functions.”

Participants at the workshop included representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Federal House of Representatives (House Committees on Army, Navy, Air Force, Defence and National Security and Intelligence), Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Interior and Code of Conduct Bureau. Others were from the Office of the Auditor General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), Human Rights Commission, Civil Society Organisations, and the Media.