The Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity is renewing its call on the National Assembly to address the alarming number of abandoned grand corruption-related legislative probes initiated since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. Through its Probes Monitor Portal, the Center has documented 377 legislative investigations instituted by both chambers of the National Assembly that remain inconclusive or unpublished.
The Portal, an initiative aimed at strengthening transparency and oversight in public service, reveals a troubling pattern where probes, set up ostensibly to hold public officials accountable, are left hanging without resolution or public disclosure. This does not only undermine the integrity of the legislative process but also weakens public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
In pursuit of accountability, the Center has formally written to the National Assembly and key Senate and House committees urging the resuscitation and conclusion of these probes, as well as the publication of their findings. However, to date, these letters have not been responded to.
We are therefore concerned that the legislative arm, which should lead by example in promoting openness and integrity, is instead, allowing critical investigations to fade into obscurity, amid growing public concerns that some of these probes are deliberately abandoned due to alleged inducements from heads of agencies or ministries being investigated.
In light of this inaction, the Center is now seeking strategic partnerships with media organizations to amplify public discourse on these abandoned probes and press for their conclusion. The media, as a vital pillar of democracy, has a critical role to play in exposing inefficiencies and demanding accountability from elected representatives.
The Center therefore calls on members of the National Assembly to publish the outcomes of all concluded investigations and update the public on the status of ongoing or stalled probes. As public servants, lawmakers owe Nigerians full transparency in their oversight responsibilities.
The Probes Monitor Portal, accessible at: https://www.fiscaltransparency.org/probesmonitor/current-probes remains an open source for journalists, civil society organizations, and citizens to track the status of legislative probes and advocate for reform. We call on all actors to join us in ensuring that legislative investigations serve their purpose of uncovering wrongdoing, recommend corrective actions, and reinforce public accountability.
Signed:
Victor Agi
Head, Public Relations