The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), in collaboration with Transparency International Defence and Security Program (TI-DSP), hosted a press briefing on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at the Regent Hotel, Lagos. The event addressed corruption in Nigeria’s defence and security sector, focusing on financial management, gender inclusion, and operational disparities.
The Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International in Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), emphasized the need for urgent reforms.
He highlighted the impact of corruption on the country’s security apparatus, stating:
“Reform initiatives in the Defence and Security sector must remain sacrosanct, particularly at a time like this when Nigeria battles an epidemic of multi-dimensional security threats such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry, and kidnapping.”
Auwal Ibrahim Musa detailed systemic corruption in the sector, including shady procurement processes, inflated contracts, and excessive secrecy.
He noted that:
“Major drivers of corruption include inter-agency rivalry, phantom contracts, delayed appropriations, and weak oversight activities. These challenges have hampered counter-terrorism operations, endangered lives, and undermined the morale of frontline troops.”
He also pointed to high-profile corruption cases, such as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission’s (ICPC) 2022 raid of a military contractor’s home, which uncovered N1.8 billion in cash and luxury items.
Ibrahim lamented the misuse of “security votes” by state governors, stating:
“Transparency International raised alarm that over N241.2 billion annually spent on security votes was unaccounted for by the Government in Nigeria.”
CISLAC launched policy briefs to address financial, procurement, and gender issues in the defence sector.
Ibrahim Musa called on the media to play a vital role in demanding accountability, saying:
“The need for media agenda-setting to provoke independent oversight and immediate reform in the defence and security sector cannot be overemphasized.”
Jimoh Abubakar, Who represented the Executive Director CISLAC, highlighted the global trend of secrecy in military operations, noting how it hinders transparency:
“Even basic items like pens and paper are classified as ‘secret.’ This excessive secrecy excludes the defence sector from civilian oversight.”
Abubakar also critiqued outdated laws, including the Official Secrets Act, Procurement Act, and Freedom of Information Act, which he claimed shield the sector from scrutiny.
“Without proper amendments to these laws, we will continue facing the same challenges. Transparency and accountability must be prioritized to rebuild trust and efficiency in the sector.”
Abubakar expressed concerns about the National Assembly’s role in addressing corruption.
He highlighted conflicts of interest within legislative committees overseeing defence budgets and operations:
“Some legislators have vested financial interests, compromising their ability to ensure accountability. Capacity building is essential to enable legislators to effectively interrogate the sector’s complex operations.”
He urged civil society and the media to amplify their voices:
“The media and civil society must ask questions and reset the agenda. When everyone speaks out, accountability becomes inevitable.”
