The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, said that in Nigeria, with the correct political connections, you can get away with anything.
Sanusi said this in an interview during the public presentation of “Unexplained Wealth: A Trilogy of Nigerian Financial Law”, a three-volume treatise written by anti-corruption lawyer, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN), Channels TV reported.
“We need to review existing laws for weaknesses and to deal with unexplained wealth but we also need better implementation of the laws,” he said.
“I think Dr. Shittu has looked at the law. I am not a lawyer, I am still an undergraduate law student and this would be something that I would find extremely useful in my studies, but clearly what he has done is to create an analysis of what exists and also identify weaknesses and make proposals for what needs to be done to identify unexplained wealth and to also ensure that it is used as part of the war against corruption.”
Sanusi said Nigeria already has structures and courts to uncover and prosecute corruption cases but said that political concerns sometimes influence the processing of corruption cases.
“But the laws are one thing, as I said. And we have to do a better job of enforcing the laws that we have. You have institutions that are intended to find corrupt people and go after them. You have courts that are intended to do it.
He argued that several people facing corruption cases had their cases withdrawn due to their political surroundings or support, while some legal processes have raised concerns on whether they are a fight against corruption or political persecution.
In this country we’ve seen people face corruption allegations and basically just have the charges dropped because they’re in the proper political climate or have the appropriate political backing.”
The Emir pointed to the case of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as an example of what he called concerns about the utilisation of judicial processes.
“My brother Nasir El-Rufai has been denied bail, as an example. “He has been held for seven months without being convicted of anything by the courts.”
“Cases like that can make people doubt whether corruption cases are being pursued for the stated purpose or political battles,” Sanusi said.
“So people begin to ask themselves, is this really a fight against corruption or is it a political struggle?”
He noted that political leaders, holders of public office as well as the judiciary must ensure that the laws are used for the objectives for which they were designed.
“Until the politicians and those that control the political office, and the judiciary, decide that they’re going to use these laws for the purpose for which they are set up, we’re not going to get anywhere,” he said.
While it was vital to evaluate the laws, it was equally important to pay attention to the institutions that would enforce them, Sanusi said.
So the laws are one thing and I believe it’s a good thing that we’re looking at the laws and we also have to look at the institutions that are involved in the promotion of the law and that is how you make progress. Otherwise, everyone knows that you can get away with anything if you have the necessary political connections.”
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