Lessons From The Struggles Of Emefiele And Diezani - Fredrick Nwabufo
In some places, holding public office entails loud carnivals, high standards, thrills, and frills. Sometimes, in fits of revelry and the pursuit of fleeting nothings, the necessity, delicacy, and sensitivity of this job are lost. It is a position where a select few have achieved success, as well as a place where many others have fallen from favor.
Depending on the political views or dialectical inclinations of the objector, disputant, or interrogator, each administration since 1999 appears to have its own heroes and villains. Depending on the person's beliefs or point of view, heroes and villains are assigned to different sides. The hero of one man may be the villain of another, and vice versa.
Former minister of petroleum resources under the Jonathan administration, Diezani Alison-Madueke, is frequently viewed as a villain of that administration. However, other people could disagree. In fact, there have been demonstrations against the EFCC's prosecution of her by several organizations. Here, the intensity of outrage over every purported transgression by a public official is expressed in terms of ethnic and religious voltage. Crimes are classified by the suspected offender's ethnic background.
According to the EFCC, the former minister of petroleum resources stole more than $153 million, spent N14 billion on jewelry, and bought over 90 homes in Nigeria. The agency was successful in obtaining forfeiture orders against some of the properties, but it was unsuccessful in bringing the defendant to justice in Nigeria.
The UK National Crime Agency announced on Tuesday that it had filed a fraud court complaint against Diezani. According to the NCA, Diezani is suspected of accepting bribes while serving as the minister of petroleum resources in exchange for signing off on multimillion-pound oil and gas contracts. The NCA claimed she received at least £100,000 in cash, limo service, private jet travel, opulent vacations for her family, and access to numerous residences in London.
Her charges, according to the agency, also include financial benefits such as furnishings, personnel to help with property renovations and staff to help with the properties, payment of private school tuition, and gifts from upscale brand stores like Louis Vuitton products and Cartier jewelry.
Andy Kelly, the ICU's (International Corruption Unit) Head at the NCA, said: "We suspect Diezani Alison- Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million pound contracts. These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation. Bribery is a pervasive form of corruption, which enables serious criminality and can have devastating consequences for developing countries. We will continue to work with partners here and overseas to tackle the threat."
It might be Diezani's long-awaited meeting with fate.
abuse of authority. According to the NCA, this is Diezani's suspected most serious misconduct. Power abuse's essential components are always readily available. A public official only needs one instance of misconduct or lack of discipline before they are sucked into the vortex of unending ridicule.
But where are other former top government officials who are allegedly guilty of the same crimes? Any story will always have a main antagonist. In order to avoid becoming the administration's "guilt- sponge," it is important that public officials pay attention.
Abuse of authority. abuse of authority. There are many public servants that tumble down this slippery slope.
The Central Bank of Nigeria's suspended governor, Godwin Emefiele, is accused of misusing his position by deviating into politics. Emefiele claimed he had no plans to run for president in 2023, but it was clear that he was determined to do so.
It has been suggested that Emefiele's "naira-confiscation policy" in the run-up to the elections was a political ploy. That policy caused countless hardships and suffering for both citizens and businesses.
The DSS filed allegations against him in February that had to do with financing terrorism. He was arrested in June and charged in court in July. Now, new accusations have been made against him. The allegations mostly relate to misuse of office.
But did Emefiele work by himself? Was he alone in orchestrating events? Whose will he was carrying out now? Whom was he dealing with now? Where are the people he was employed by. Everyone should take note from Emefiele's suffering.
Given the possibility of becoming the major antagonist or the repository of the crimes of any administration, it is crucial for public officials to exercise caution and uphold the highest standards of discipline and honesty. Any misbehavior could lead to the administration in question becoming the center of attention for its mistakes or alleged crimes.
The rise and fall of public officials should serve as a sobering lesson for both current and aspiring officials. Emefiele is in the Bastille today; tomorrow, anyone may be there.
Mr. One-Nigeria, also known as Fredrick Nwabufo, is a media executive.
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