Anti-Corruption group recommends strengthening of civilian oversight of defence, implementation of UN security resolution 1325
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) has called for strengthening of civilian oversight of the defence segment in the legislature and executive to curb corruption in the sector.
Mallam Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director CISLAC/Transparency International, Nigeria, made the call on Thursday at a South East Regional press conference in Enugu.
Rafsanjani, represented by Jimoh Abubakar, Programme Manager CISLAC spoke on the topic “Nigeria’s Defence Sector: Persistent Corruption Risk Amidst Escalating Security Threats.
The report was published by the Transparency International Defence and Security in collaboration with CISLAC and transparency international in Nigeria.
It said that strengthening oversight on the defence sector would enhance skills within the legislature and parliamentary committee system.
“Particularly regarding oversight of defence strategies and policies, defence budgets and arms imports, ” CISLAC said.
The report also recommended that there should be administrative oversight of military expenditures through external auditing and improved tracking of financial outlays.
“Also, administrative oversight of procurement practices through tender board controls and anti-collusion controls, ” he said.
The report also recommended that inputs from civil society actors and the media be accommodated in national security strategy discussions and implementing policies.
According to the report, Nigeria should adopt an internationally accepted range of exceptions for defence and security that can be used in the development of legal frameworks.
“Specifically in the right to information (RTI) law or information classification systems.
“This is also important for regulations governing procurement transparency and budget transparency, ” CISLAC said.
It said that adequate monitoring mechanisms for gender-related compliance in the Defence and Security sector was necessary.
It said this would help to prevent gender-based violence and abuse during operations.
“It has become imperative to fully implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 to adequately integrate women’s participation and representation at all levels of decision making in the defence and security sector.
CISLAC said the policy brief highlighted findings from the 2020 Government Defence Integrity Index (GDI) that are pertinent for a path to enhanced institutional resilience to corruption in Nigeria’s defence governance.
“It is based on a close reading of the GDI results for Nigeria, policy literature, recent news reports, and context and problem analyses conducted by CISLAC/TI Nigeria chapter, ” CISLAC said.
