The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has the responsibility of fighting financial crimes in Nigeria, especially in the public sector. The fight against corruption in Nigeria for many reasons has not been easy. The anti-graft commission has been effective in building cases against corrupt politicians in the country. But most times their efforts are usually frustrated by either the court or members of the public. The corruption cases of the wanted politicians are often adjourned in court for a long time then after a period, nothing is heard about the case or the court dismisses the case.
The new EFCC boss who is the youngest chairman of the commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa has been doing everything in his power to ensure corrupt politicians are adequately dealt with, but the effort has been a difficult one because of the same old fashion and practice of shielding corrupt politicians in Nigeria. The anti-graft commission has released a cartoon that depicts public sector corruption, the cartoon is a typical example of what is happening in Nigeria. I will try and explain the cartoon on how I have understood it and how it relates to Nigerian Society.
The first picture shows how members of the public are quick to execute jungle justice on petty thieves who steal phones or other items, in the picture, the person stole a phone, and the masses after beating the hell out of him are ready to burn him alive a typical scenario of what happens in some Nigerian society of today. In the second picture when a politician in public office loots government funds meant for the development of the country and for putting infrastructure that will help the people in their pocket, the same masses go on to praise the politicians for the little money the politicians will give to them.
In the picture above some Nigerian politicians take turns looting public funds, these sets of politicians loot funds in circles to enrich themselves and their families to the detriment of the masses who pay taxes as well as elect them into public offices. It is so sad that even as we consider Nigeria as a democratic nation it is so unfortunate to see that leaders treat public funds the way they see fit ignoring the wrath of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.
In the above picture when corrupt politicians are caught by EFCC, the struggle is usually between the commission and SAN lawyers who are paid heavily to defend the politicians in court, the other picture depicts that the masses celebrate when the cases are dismissed from a court or when the eventually gain their freedom from prison. I believe the cartoon is to sensitize the public about public sector corruption and how it affects the people, this is a welcomed development from the commission.
9Naija 