Nigerian civil society calls on UK to end role as a safe haven for corrupt individuals
Letter to UK Prime Minister calls for action as the International Anti-Corruption Summit in London approaches
The following letter was sent today to UK Prime Minister David Cameron by Nigerian civil society organisations, including Transparency International's partner Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC):
Abuja, 28th April 2016
Dear Prime Minister,
As you prepare to host global leaders in London for the International Anti-Corruption Summit, civil society in Nigeria is calling on you to take serious action to end the UK’s role as a safe haven for our corrupt individuals, who steal our wealth for their own private gain.
The leadership you have taken on fighting corruption has seen the world begin to grasp the devastating effects of corruption, not only for human development and economic prosperity, but also in contributing to violent conflict and mass migration, which in turn feed the cycle of poverty and corruption.
Our Nigeria is one of those countries that has most bitterly suffered the impact. Despite the blessings of nature, which endowed us with abundant oil wealth, our infrastructure is deplorable. Classrooms overflow while teachers go underpaid and parents are forced to give “gifts” to ensure their children get attention; police officers spend their time shaking down motorists or locking them up on some spurious pretext so as to extort a few naira. It is because of these abuses that the people of Nigeria participated with unparalleled energy in the 2015 presidential election. Now we are embarked on a nationwide anti-corruption campaign.
But these efforts are sadly undermined if countries such as your own are welcoming our corrupt to hide their ill-gotten gains in your luxury homes, department stores, car dealerships, private schools and anywhere else that will accept their cash with no questions asked. The role of London’s property market as vessels to conceal stolen wealth has been exposed in court documents, reports, documentaries and more. The problem is clear, now is time to do something about it.
Recently top Nigerian officials have been named in the Panama Papers. For example, it is alleged that Bukola Saraki, the President of the Nigerian Senate, has an undeclared £5.7 million property in London, in his wife’s name. This raises concerns about how it was possible to hide undeclared wealth in the UK property market.
This summit is an opportunity for the major financial centres to finally acknowledge the role they are playing in perpetuating corruption. It is ironic that the countries that pride themselves on their own lack of corruption are the very ones providing most of the corruption services to our corrupt officials.
Corruption is not an issue limited to developing countries or the global south. It’s a truly international problem. We hope your summit will help bring about real change and raise the ambition of anti-corruption efforts around the world.
We will be calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to represent our views at the Summit. We are ready and eager to further its outcomes once commitments have been made.
Yours Sincerely,
|
Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) |
Mallam YZ Yau Centre For Information Technology and Development (CITAD) |
Jimoh Salman Good Governance Team |
|
Salaudeen Hashim West Africa Civil Society Forum (WACSOF)– Nigeria Platform |
Jaye Gaskia |
Ezenwa Nwagu Partners for Electoral Reforms (PER) |
|
Okeke Anya State Of The Union – Nigeria Campaign (SOTU) |
Adefolahan Lukman |
Moses Oluwaseyi |
|
Idris Musa |
Chom Bagu
|
Sis Rosemary Ukata Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) |
|
Chief (Mrs.) Funmilayo Oladippupo United Nigeria Peace Foundation |
Ariori Jemina Federation Of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) |
Azeez Adewale Ahmed International Centre for Development and Budget Advocacy |
|
Abdulkareem Tijani Socio-Economic & Research Development Centre (SERDEC) |
Abanka Musa |
Fisayo Aransiola |
|
Okeke Anya National Procurement Watch Platform |
Ariyo Owa |
Abiodun Martins |
|
Mathew Elvis Advocacy for rural Engagement Initiative |
Mustapha Mohammed |
Kyauta Giwa Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP) |
|
Kaka Chris Trade Network Initiative |
George Monye Majesty Community and Rural Development Centre |
Ibeh, Vivien I Foundation for Peace and Security Education |
|
Sam Itodo YIAGA |
Dudu Manuga RECHDI- Gombe |
Abel Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women - Kaduna |
|
Theophilus Ekpon Centre for Sustainable Development and Education in Africa |
Gimba Joseph Centre for Peace Education and Development – Taraba |
Josephine Alabi Keen and Care Initiative |
|
Ignineweka Cyril Progressive Movement of Nigeria |
Dr Fatima Zanna Gana |
Fiona Lovaff |
|
Nita Byack – Geaorge Actor’s Guild of Nigeria |
Bassey Bassey |
Olatunji Olanrewaju |
|
JaneFrancis Duru Gender Care Initiative |
Edward Olutoke Association of Nigeria Tenants |
Comerade Mbami Aliya Sabka Prisons Inmate Development Initiative |
|
Veronica Thomas Ash Foundation – Bauchi |
Umma Iliyasu Mohammed Girl Child Concern |
Edel-Quinn Agbaegbu Every Woman Hope Centre |
|
Samie Ihejirika Strategic Empowerment and Mediation Agency – Kaduna |
Dr. Tunji Asaolu African Youths International Development |
Emmanuel Onyema Crime Free & Peace Initiative |
|
Prince Henry Ezike Community Of San’Egido Nigeria |
Hon. Hassan Abubakar ALFACARE |
Sylvester Uhaa Citizens United For the Rehabilitation of Errants |
|
Leyai Ala Peace and Social Foundation – Bayelsa |
Babatunde Adegbesan GEOSCIENES |
Sani Sheriff 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Initiative |
|
Liberty Oseni Arms of Hope Foundation |
Becky Samuel Youths For Peace Foundation |
Philip Jalgior ERA/FoEN |
|
Audu Yerima Charles ASSAPIN |
Osai Ejigho Alliances for Africa |
Theresa Kelubia BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights – Lagos |
|
Afolabi Bukola WARD-C |
Ada Agina-Ude GADA |
Ademola Olukanmi Beautiful Eves of Africa |
|
Mimido Achakpa Women’s Right to Education Programme (WREP) |
Onyejowu Sunday Winning Hearts International |
Sunday Ebi Winning Hearts International |
|
Chief Joy Ezeilo Women’s Aid Collective (WOCOL) |
Mrs. Ene Ede Equity Advocates |
Felicia Iyore Onibon Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All |
|
Peter Egwuda Civil Society Coalition for Poverty Eradication |
Idris Maigari Lawanti Community Development Foundation |
Emmanuel Etim Stop Aids Alliance |
|
Idowu Adewale Media Rights Agenda |
Gbadamosi John Gbadamosi Freedom of Information Coalition |
Dr. Nosa Aladeselu Gender Development and Education |
|
Comrade Nelson Nwafor Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development – Enugu |
Okie Hart Grassroot Coalition For Transparency and Good Governance |
Stella Okafor
|
|
Lizzy Igbine NIWAFA |
Aliyu Kawu RAYSIDA Int’l – Taraba |
Ibrahim Maliki Rural Integrated Development Initiative |
|
Tony Agoro Needy Response Care Initiative – Gombe |
Ahmad Ibrahim Care For Life Mission |
Esther Simon Dayspring Development Initiative |
|
Grace Samuel Kishimi Shelter Care Foundation |
Sani Adamu Jauro Heart for Children Initiative |
Ali Usman Rambo GESDI – Yobe |
|
Mohammed Wuyo Borno Coalition for Democracy and Progress |
Hadiza Mohammed Women Right Initiative |
Usman Hassan Abdullahi Youth Federation for World Peace Ambassadors Foundation |
|
Ann Darman Gender Equality & Peace Development Centre |
Jimoh Olawale Gender and Children Support Initiative |
Usman Mohammed Inusa Waka Multi-purpose for Social Change |
|
Justina Yakubu Centre for Human Rights & Citizens Advancement |
Mary Emmanuel Community Resource Initiative |
Kingsley Yallings Centre for Justice and Empowerment |
|
Haliru Mohammed YETIM Care Foundation |
Sagir Shehu Mustapha Rariyangoro Youth Empowerment Initiative |
|
For any press enquiries please contact
Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani)
Executive Director
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
[email protected],[email protected],
T: +234-8033844646, +234-8052370333
