The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, says people can get away with anything in Nigeria if they have the right political connections.

Sanusi made the remark in 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 Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN).

He said reviewing existing laws to identify weaknesses and address unexplained wealth was important, but stressed that better implementation of the laws was also necessary.

“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, but clearly what he’s done is to create an analysis of what exists and also identify weaknesses and make proposals for what needs to be done to identify unexplained wealth and to also ensure that it is used as part of the war against corruption.”

Sanusi said Nigeria already has institutions and courts responsible for identifying and prosecuting corruption cases, but alleged that political considerations sometimes affect the handling of corruption cases.

“But like I said, the laws are one thing. Even the existing laws we have need to be implemented better. You have institutions that are supposed to identify corrupt people and prosecute them. You have courts that are supposed to do it.”

He alleged that some people facing corruption charges have had their cases dropped because of their political environment or support, while some legal proceedings have raised questions about whether they constitute a fight against corruption or political persecution.

“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.”

The Emir cited the case of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, as an example of what he described as concerns surrounding the use of legal processes.

“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 such cases could make people question whether corruption cases were being pursued for their stated purpose or as part of political battles.

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

He said political leaders, public office holders and the judiciary must ensure that the laws are used for the purposes for which they were established.

“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.”

Sanusi maintained that while reviewing the laws was important, attention must also be paid to the institutions responsible for enforcing them.

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

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