The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called for stronger institutions and better enforcement of existing laws to tackle corruption and unexplained wealth in Nigeria.
Sanusi spoke in Lagos at the public presentation of Unexplained Wealth: A Trilogy of Nigerian Financial Law, a three-volume publication authored by anti-corruption lawyer Wahab Shittu, SAN.
He said reviewing laws to address gaps was important but warned that legal reforms alone would not solve the problem without effective institutions to enforce them.
According to him, Nigeria already has institutions and courts responsible for identifying, prosecuting and adjudicating corruption cases, but their effectiveness depends on how independently and consistently the laws are applied.
Sanusi also raised concerns over cases in which political considerations allegedly influence the handling of corruption investigations and prosecutions.
He said such situations could create doubts about whether anti-corruption laws were being applied solely to tackle corruption or were being used in political disputes.
The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor said political leaders, public office holders and the judiciary had a responsibility to ensure that laws were applied for the purposes for which they were established.
He also stressed the need to strengthen institutions responsible for enforcing anti-corruption laws, saying this was essential to making progress in the fight against corruption.
Sanusi said the new publication was useful because it examined existing laws, identified weaknesses and proposed measures for tracing unexplained wealth and deploying such provisions in the fight against corruption.
He added that individuals could evade accountability when political considerations interfere with the enforcement of laws.
“The laws are one thing, and I think it’s a good thing that we’re looking at the laws, but 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, anyone knows that you can get away with anything if you have the right political connections.”
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