The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has said people accused of wrongdoing in Nigeria can escape accountability if they have strong political connections.
Sanusi spoke during an interview with Channels Television in Lagos at the public presentation of Unexplained Wealth: A Trilogy of Nigerian Financial Law, a three-volume book by anti-corruption lawyer, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN).
He said Nigeria needs to review its laws on unexplained wealth but stressed that stronger enforcement by relevant institutions is also needed.
Sanusi said existing courts and agencies have the power to investigate and prosecute corruption, but political factors may affect some cases.
“We have seen in this country people who are facing corruption charges who basically just get those charges dropped because they belong to the right political environment or have the right political support,” Sanusi said.
He questioned whether some corruption cases were truly about fighting corruption or had become political battles.
“So people begin to wonder is this really a fight against corruption or is it a political battle?” he asked.
Sanusi also mentioned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, saying, “An example is my brother Nasir El-Rufai who’s been denied bail. He’s been in detention for seven months, not having been convicted for anything using the courts,” he said.
He said politicians, public officials and judges must ensure laws serve their intended purpose.
“Now until the politicians and those who control political office and the judiciary decide that they are going to use these laws for the purpose for which they are set up, we’re not going to get anywhere,” he said.
Sanusi also praised Shittu’s work on unexplained wealth and said stronger institutions were needed to make anti-corruption laws effective.
“I think what Dr. Shittu has done is to look at the laws. I’m not a lawyer, I’m still an undergraduate law student and this would be something that I would find extremely useful in my studies,” Sanusi said.
He added, “So the laws are one thing and I think it’s a good thing that we’re looking at the laws, but we also have to look at the institutions that are involved in the promotion of the law and that is how you make progress,” he said.
Sanusi concluded, “Otherwise anyone knows that you can get away with anything if you have the right political connections,” he said.
