Sanusi: Political Connections Can Help People Escape Accountability in Nigeria

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has raised concerns about the influence of political connections on the enforcement of Nigeria's anti-corruption laws, saying people can escape consequences when they have the right political backing.

Sanusi made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television in Lagos at the public presentation of Unexplained Wealth: A Trilogy of Nigerian Financial Law, a three-volume work authored by anti-corruption lawyer Wahab Shittu, SAN.

The former Central Bank of Nigeria governor said Nigeria already has laws, institutions and courts responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption cases, but argued that the effectiveness of those institutions can be undermined by political considerations.

“We have institutions that are supposed to identify corrupt people and prosecute them. You have courts that are supposed to do it,” Sanusi said.

He alleged that some corruption cases had been discontinued because those facing charges belonged to the “right political environment” or had the appropriate political support.

Sanusi also questioned whether some legal proceedings were being pursued primarily as part of the fight against corruption or whether political considerations were influencing their direction.

“So people begin to wonder, is this really a fight against corruption or is it a political battle?” he asked.

The Emir cited the ongoing legal proceedings involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as an example of the concerns he was raising.

“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,” Sanusi said.

Sanusi called on politicians, public office holders and members of the judiciary to ensure that laws were applied for the purposes for which they were established.

He argued that reviewing existing legislation to address unexplained wealth was important, but said legislative changes alone would not be sufficient without stronger institutions to enforce the laws.

“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.

He concluded by warning that weak institutional enforcement could allow people with strong political connections to escape accountability.

“Otherwise anyone knows that you can get away with anything if you have the right political connections,” Sanusi said.

Sanusi's comments come amid ongoing legal proceedings involving several Nigerian political figures and renewed public debate over the independence and effectiveness of the country's anti-corruption institutions.