As the world celebrates the International Anti-corruption Day today, the United States (US) has applauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent move to change the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

US Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence McCulley, said that in order to foster the stability, security, and prosperity of its citizens, Nigeria must effectively address corruption. The United States envoy noted that criminal activity thrives in environments where the justice system has become weak, adding that impunity emboldens criminals to think that they could buy their way through criminal transactions and bribe their way out of prison.

McCulley further noted that when traffickers could bribe their way to cross a border, clear a shipment through customs, or convince a policeman to look the other way, then they would proceed as far as their money would take them.
He said that addressing corruption remained a key to combating emerging transnational criminal threats.

“In many countries, criminals and other illicit actors subvert and undermine state functions and transform some official institutions into de-facto criminal enterprises. Government’s protection of criminal elements can take many forms. Officials may “turn a blind eye” to a syndicate’s illicit activity, choose not to pursue investigative leads, opt not to enact or enforce certain criminal laws, or ignore the efforts of others to extradite wanted criminals.

“In some cases, corrupt officials may actively work for criminal organizations, supplying them with information or providing other services. In the worst cases, governments may effectively cede power and authority to criminal groups, allowing them to form their own territories and power networks.“I applaud President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent move to change the leadership of the EFCC, and his willingness to seek a strong candidate to lead the independent commission to prevent corruption and other related offenses.“The US stands ready to help build these institutions to address corruption effectively and make impunity a thing of the past,” McCauley said.

Tracing the genesis of the International Anti-corruption Day, McCulley stated that on December 9, 2003, representatives from 140 countries convened to sign the United National Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and designated December 9, as International Anti-corruption Day.
He said that today, 158 countries have joined the UNCAC, including Nigeria and the US, making it one of the United Nation’s most highly subscribed treaties, creating a global mandate to combat corruption and the harm it brings to society.

He noted that the ill-effects of corruption were well known as corruption hinders sustainable development, erodes confidence in democratic institutions, and facilitates transnational crime and terrorism.“When “kleptocrats” line their pockets and steal from their nations’ treasuries and their own people, such actions prevent the provision of necessary public services, including medicines and health care for the sick and elderly, education for children, and nourishment and housing for poor and working class families. Moreover, such activities weaken the potential of affected countries for economic growth.

“Fragile states that struggle to maintain the rule of law or provide basic services for their populations can also become magnets for crime and terrorism. They can become hubs for trafficking in persons, drugs, and weapons; and they can export violence far beyond their borders.”