Accountability Necessary in Security Sector – CISLAC
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, CISLAC, and Transparency International, TI, have called for more accountability and transparency in the country’s defence and security sector.
The groups made the call, during a CSO and Media dialogue, in Enugu , on Wednesday.
According to the groups, various high-profile corruption cases levelled against the defence and security sector are swept under the carpet without public accountability.
The groups also observed that personnel, political, operational, procurement and financial related corruption in the defence sector has resulted in low operational effectiveness, poor credibility and unchecked mismanagement.
The group said “While Defence and Security sector has adopted various reforms in the recent past to enhance its integrity and improve its effectiveness, the unchecked culture of exceptionalism has hitherto impacted negatively on the transparency of the sector.
“Over the years, various high-profile corruption cases levelled against the Defence and Security sector are swept under the carpet without public accountability, primarily to protect political interest.
“Delayed review of laws in Defence procurement process has contributed to the lapses that encourage corruption in Nigerian Defence and security sector.”
Speaking on the role of civilians in defence accountability, the groups explained that civilian oversight is needed as it will help checkmate excessive military operations, adding that while weak civilian oversight paves way for poor accountability and indiscipline within the sector, an active civilian oversight will improve surveillance for more efficiency.
The group said that civilian involvement in defence and security has proven to be effective in the fight against insurgency.
“Within the democratic context, civilian oversight is paramount to check against excesses in military operations, while upholding democratic principles and values.
“Active civilian oversight improves surveillance and continued observation of Defence and Security sector for more institutional and operational efficiency.”
“Involvement of Civilian body like Civilian Joint Task Force has proven successful in combating insurgency in Nigeria,” the group said.
