U.S.-based don frowns at mild punishment for ‘white-collar crimes’ in Nigeria

By Cecilia Ologunagba

New York, Jan. 14, 2024

U.S.-based Nigerian Professor, Mannixs Paul, has frowned at the kind of punishment meted out for white-collar crimes and corruption in Nigeria, urging stricter measures to tackle the menace.

The term “white-collar crimes” refers to financially motivated, non-violent or violent crimes committed by individuals, businesses and government professionals.

Paul, a professor of organisation and management, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York, that the punishment for these crimes tend to be too liberal compared to other countries.

Paul, who is the Chairman and founder of AfroRedFlag White-Collar Protective Shield Limited, said mild punishment could be a compelling reason why Nigerian politicians and civil servants engage in embezzlement, fraud and corruption with impunity.

“Individuals sometimes foreshadow themselves as victims of the law, desiring to lessen the punishment at the expense of the public good.

“The present administration and legislators should have the political will to make a difference with the opportunity granted to them, for nothing happens without the knowledge of God.

“The citizens need more justice, and the growing population cannot be measured with the existing system that needs overhauling. Also, Nigerians must understand their culture and establish rules and laws that add value to their lives.

“The legislature must intentionally make laws to empower citizens to have legal standing to tackle issues in their jurisdiction,’’ he said.

Since Nigeria has a diverse population, he said the justice system needed to provide appropriate and relevant laws to support its citizens from abuse of power.

Paul, who is a licensed private investigator in New York, said that communities should have the legal right to sue contractors as a significant win in the fight against corruption and support the underfunded and understaffed anti-corruption agencies.

“Change cannot be achieved by government effort alone. It should be the responsibility of both corporate organisations and the citizens of Nigeria,’’ he said, stressing, however, that the judiciary should adjust more quickly to the unwavering societal changes, noting that the deficiencies of the nation’s critical agencies compared to the Western world are undeniable.

To fight corruption, Paul said it was imperative that the government’s three branches – the executive, legislature and the judiciary – join forces to evaluate the Anti-corruption Act thoroughly.

“This evaluation should identify the potential shortcomings of the current act and take appropriate measures to rectify them.

“The government should also consider consulting with independent professionals to make informed decisions and seek separate reports to ensure transparency.

“Nigerian needs to reclaim its reputation, as a paragon of accountability and transparency demands concrete and specific actions.

“In this regard, the government must enhance transparency and accountability, ensuring that appointed government agents and employees do not abuse their official positions for personal gain.”

According to him, the Nigerian government must take steps to isolate the paradox between political appointees and civil servants to promote good governance.

Paul said civil servants were meant to be the guardians of good governance and protect the interests of Nigerian citizens, noting that corruption thrives when civil servants collude with political appointees for their gain at the expense of citizens.

“Therefore, civil servants must focus on their core mandates and be held accountable for their actions.

“It is important to note that political competition can lead to corruption, bribery, embezzlement, and fraud, as each political rivalry may seek to gladden civil servants.

“Secrecy only worsens matters and can lead to internal and external controversies, providing opportunities for corruption to thrive.

“It is imperative to prevent bribery to build a healthier society where personal gain is not prioritised over the needs of the people.’’

Should inefficiencies persist, he said the current administration must contemplate outsourcing specific tasks and promoting data-based decision-making in the digital realm.

In addition, Paul said despite the recent scandals, the government could institute strict mechanisms to monitor and penalise corrupt practices, thereby achieving change.

“It can achieve that by adopting stringent measures to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance. Nigeria can return to its former glory as a model of accountability and transparency.

“Additionally, the government should avoid repeating previous years’ failed policies and strategies. Instead, leaders must proactively seek new and innovative ways to combat corruption,’’ he said.

The don also urged the leaders to understand that corruption had various causes, including weak institutions, poor governance, lack of transparency, and accountability.

He said they should address these issues from a holistic point of view to find a lasting solution to the causes of corruption.

“These causes are attributed to the overall behavioral conduct of the stakeholders, such as abuse of power, greed, conflicts of interest, and lack of integrity,’’ Paul said.