UP GEJ! : Fighting Corruption

Endemic corruption has long shackled economic and social development in Nigeria.  President
Goodluck Jonathan has made eliminating corruption a key priority for his administration.  While there is still work to be done in this area, the President has made significant strides during his first term.

President Jonathan’s focus has been on building transparent public institutions that are strong enough to overcome corrupt influences. This approach uses the rule of law as a framework to fight corruption and entrenches transparency and accountability mechanisms across government institutions.

Achievements:

• Granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutorial independence from the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, restoring the integrity of this formerly beaten-down anti-graft agency
• Enacted the Freedom of Information Act, thereby empowering the press and Nigerian citizens to scrutinize the actions of public officials and institutions.
• Uncovered over N2.7 billion in fraud in the Pensions’ fund and seized about 200 properties from corrupt public officials, including hotels and cash worth billions of naira.
• Established an Independent Presidential Committee to monitor the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
• Dismissed judges found to be abusing their offices.
• Ended four decades of corruption in fertilizer and seed distribution.
• Signed the Anti-Money Laundering Act into law and became one of the first signatories to the Inter-governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).
• Established the Nigerian Extractive Industry and Transparency Initiative (NEITI), and forwarded the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to the National Assembly for passage into law.