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10 former governors stole $250 billion in
three years
By Akinola Ajibade
Nigeria, May 28, The Nation - Ten former governors were
yesterday fingered to have stolen $250billion while in office in
what ECOWAS said represents the highest corruption index in
Africa.
In a report, the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money
Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), an agency of ECOWAS, said
Nigeria, by the actions of the governors scored 87.3 per cent,
the highest in Africa on the scale of bribery to government
officials.
GIABA said other 15 African countries measuring high on the
scale as well include Liberia, Ghana, Cote’dvoire, Guinea,
Bissau, Benin Republic, others.
GIABA is the arm of ECOWAS that has the mandate to combat
anti-money laundering activities and terrorist financing in West
Africa.
Though, the body did not name the governors, it noted, however,
that the sum was all stolen in three years.
A breakdown of the report showed that: Corruption-Money
Laundering Nexus, Nigeria scored 87.3 per cent in Bribery of
government officials, followed by Ghana (56.7 per cent)
Cote’dvoire (55 per cent), Liberia (44.4 per cent) and Benin
Republic (40 per cent). Also, Nigeria scored 23.6 per cent in
bribing foreign officials, followed by Guinea Bissau (16.7 per
cent, Cote’dvoire (14 per cent) and Ghana (6.7 per cent).
Nigeria maintained its leading position, scoring 86.6 per cent
in embezzlement, misappropriation or other diversions of
property by government officials, trailed by Sierra-Leone (82.4
per cent), Guinea Bissau (66.7 per cent), Ghana (56.7 per cent)
and Benin Republic (52.0 per cent).
Under illegal transfer or taking of money abroad, Nigeria scored
57.0 per cent) Liberia (45.5 per cent), Guinea Bissau (36.1 per
cent), and Sierra Leone (35.3 per cent).In contracts inflation,
Nigeria has 86.1 per cent, Sierra-Leone (82.4 per cent) Guinea
Bissau (55.56 per cent), Ghana (56.7 per cent), Liberia (45.5
per cent) and Benin Republic (28.0 per cent).
In bribery and embezzlement in the private sector, Nigeria(41.6
per cent), Sierra- Leone (44.1 per cent), Liberia (22.7 per
cent), Ghana (10.0 per cent) and Benin Republic (12.0 per cent).
Nigeria is grossly abusing office as it scored 79.7 per cent,
Sierra-Leone (76.5 per cent), Guinea Bissau 958.3 per cent and
Ghana (46.7 per cent).
The Director General of GIABA, Dr Abdullahi Shehu, said the
agency has supported legal and financial institutions with a
view to control anti-money laundering activities. Shehu said the
agency has organised seminar for judges, prosecutors and bankers
to enable them know how to handle corrupt practices well.
According to him, GIABA’s role is to present and recommend its
findings to the member states and not to implement legislations
that would deal with such practices in the region.
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