Former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, has raised concerns over public officials convicted of corruption still retaining their positions despite legal provisions barring them from office.
Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels TV, Owasanoye disclosed that during his tenure, he discovered several convicted individuals remained in key government roles, prompting him to take action.
Owasanoye revealed that despite clear legal restrictions, some convicted public servants continued serving as directors in ministries. “When I resumed as ICPC chairman, I found that some people, despite being convicted, remained in office,” he said. “We conducted a thorough review of such cases and forwarded our findings to then-President Muhammadu Buhari, who took steps to remove some of them quietly.”
However, he noted that some convicted officials were protected by their colleagues, highlighting systemic weaknesses in enforcing anti-corruption laws. “The law is clear—once convicted, you cannot hold public office. But implementation is often hindered by institutional complicity,” he added.
On whether individuals facing corruption allegations should be disqualified from seeking political office, Owasanoye cautioned against arbitrary exclusion based on mere accusations. “An allegation alone should not prevent someone from running for office, as it could be used maliciously to block political opponents,” he said. However, he emphasized that a court conviction should automatically disqualify such individuals.
Owasanoye identified Nigeria’s problems as interconnected, stemming from leadership failures, systemic corruption, poverty, and an expensive presidential system. “It’s a combination of factors,” he said. “Our presidential system is costly, and the winner-takes-all approach fuels intense competition, exacerbating divisions.”
He described corruption as deeply systemic, requiring a holistic approach beyond just enforcement. “People often demand anti-corruption actions but celebrate corrupt leaders who benefit them. You can’t selectively condemn corruption,” he stated.
Poverty, he argued, distorts judgment, forcing citizens to prioritize survival over good governance. “When people are desperate, they may vote for leaders with questionable integrity simply because they provide immediate relief,” he explained.
Owasanoye dismissed the notion that Nigerian leaders are fundamentally different from the populace. “Leaders emerge from among us. If we complain about leadership, we must also look inward—they reflect who we are as a society.”
He called for a comprehensive review of governance structures, including reconsidering Nigeria’s system of government. “We must ask ourselves: Is this expensive presidential system working for us? Should we explore alternatives that reduce divisive competition?”
