• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • Mohammed Idris Malagi, Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation

      FG Reaffirms Non-Interference in ICPC, EFCC Operations

      ICPC Secures Conviction of Rector for Running Unaccredited Degree Programmes

      Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • NUPENG

      NUPENG Suspends Strike After Truce With FG, Labour, Oil Stakeholders

      Customs, Defence Bureau Unveil Airboat for Smuggling War

      Customs Begins Live Operations of Automated Excise Register System

      Still on the “National Single Window” Project By Abdulsalam Mahmud

      Minister of Finance Wale Edun and the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi decorating OP Olaniyan

      Customs Generates N3.7trn in H1 2025 as FG Targets Enhanced Private…

  • National
    • Officers of NSCDC Mining Marshals

      Mining Marshals and the Fight for Nigeria’s Mineral Future By Zekeri…

      NIPR President Ike Neliaku

      NIPR Inducts 422 New Members, Urges Commitment to National Unity

      Ahmed Balarabe Sa'id

      Renewed Hope and the Broadening Public Sphere By Ahmed Balarabe Sa’id

      The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa

      FG to Schools: Get Certified Teachers or Lose WAEC Accreditation

      Troops Eliminate Terrorist, Rescue Kidnap Victims in Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna

    • Government
      • Who Really Killed Charlie Kirk? By Femi Fani-Kayode

        Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf and the conjoined twins

        Kano Separated Conjoined Twins Return Home After Successful Surgery in S/Arabia

        Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kano State

        Kano Government Approves ₦1.1bn for School Uniforms to Tackle Out-of-School Children…

        Ahmed Balarabe Sa'id

        Renewed Hope and the Broadening Public Sphere By Ahmed Balarabe Sa’id

        The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa

        FG to Schools: Get Certified Teachers or Lose WAEC Accreditation

  • Security
    • Army Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Deputy Commander in Kogi

      Police Officer

      Police Arrest 56 Suspects in Coordinated Raids Across FCT

      Military Troops in Action

      Military Eliminates Terrorist Commanders in Yobe, Foil Attacks in Sokoto, Zamfara

      court Judiciary

      Court Okays DSS Request to Accelerate Trial of Al-Barnawi, 4 Other…

      Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun

      Police Chief Tasks Border Patrol Commanders on Enhanced Security

  • Features
    • Who Really Killed Charlie Kirk? By Femi Fani-Kayode

      Officers of NSCDC Mining Marshals

      Mining Marshals and the Fight for Nigeria’s Mineral Future By Zekeri…

      Omoyele Sowore, Bayo Ononuga and Adeola Ajayi

      Sowore’s Provocation, Onanuga’s Plea and the DSS Overreach

      Ahmed Balarabe Sa'id

      Renewed Hope and the Broadening Public Sphere By Ahmed Balarabe Sa’id

      Traffic officials tolling the vehicle at the scene in Abuja

      SPECIAL REPORT: Extortion, Blood and Impunity Behind Abuja’s Agbero Menace

  • State
    • Police Officer

      Police Arrest 56 Suspects in Coordinated Raids Across FCT

      Who Really Killed Charlie Kirk? By Femi Fani-Kayode

      Military Troops in Action

      Military Eliminates Terrorist Commanders in Yobe, Foil Attacks in Sokoto, Zamfara

      Prof. Abubakar Mu’azu

      UNIMAID appoints Prof. Mu’azu as Pioneer Dean, Faculty of Communication

      Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf and the conjoined twins

      Kano Separated Conjoined Twins Return Home After Successful Surgery in S/Arabia

  • Event
    • Prof. Abubakar Mu’azu

      UNIMAID appoints Prof. Mu’azu as Pioneer Dean, Faculty of Communication

      NIPR President Ike Neliaku

      NIPR Inducts 422 New Members, Urges Commitment to National Unity

      Baze University Management visits TETFUND, Showcases Tech-Driven Growth, National Impact

      PHOTOS: BUK Alumni Association Launches Digital Hub to Unite Global Graduates,…

      Founder Image Merchant Promotion Ltd, Yushau Shuaib, Nigeria Customs CG, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the IPRA representative during the 2024 GWA awards in Belgrade, Serbia

      Again, ​IPRA Shortlists Nigeria Customs, IMPR for Golden World Awards, Celebrates…

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home General Still on Security Votes and Corruption in Nigeria- Auwal Musa Rafsanjani
  • General

Still on Security Votes and Corruption in Nigeria- Auwal Musa Rafsanjani

By
Auwal Ibrahim Musa (rafsanjani)
-
May 28, 2018
CISLAC Musa Rafsanjani
CISLAC Musa Rafsanjani

Still on Security Votes and Corruption in Nigeria
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani

Recently we hosted an event, which served as an enabling platform to raise public and policy consciousness against an institutionalized form of corruption face-marked as “Security Votes” which precarious risks and implications are extensively revealed and verified in a Report titled “CAMOUFLAGED CASH: How Security Votes Fuel Corruption in Nigeria.”

The growing budgetary allocation to the nation’s security sector with contending political struggles for security votes has exacerbated corruption which is not far-fetched in Nigeria’s security sector.

Security votes are one of the most durable forms of corruption that exists in Nigeria, and it is time for us to end this outdated relic of military rule and ensure that funds are used to protect citizens, not line the pockets of politicians.

The total security vote spend is 241.4 billion Naira. That is:
• More than the annual budget of the Nigerian Army
• More than the annual budget of the Nigerian Air Force and Navy combined
• More than 70% of the annual budget of the Nigerian Police Force
• Almost three times the US security assistance since 2012
• More than 15 times the UK counter-terrorism support for 2016 – 2020

And these vast sums are spent without the basic controls you would expect in a democracy, like transparency on their use, or audits. They’re hidden behind a veil of secrecy that serves to mask all sorts of sins. In some cases, the findings of this research are almost laughable:

• The Federal School of Dental Technology and Therapy in Enugu received $2,800.
• The National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Development Studies received N5,668,635.
• In Bayelsa State, funds went to the Special Advisor for Beautification.

Now perhaps there is some reason for these expenditures. But without any justification for them, there’s no way for us as civil society and the citizenry to know.

And though some of these findings seem almost like a joke, the security implications are of grave concern.

In Borno State, officials almost certainly have spent a significant amount of their security vote on financing a security presence as well as sponsoring the 26,000-strong militia, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). But those CJTF members report that they don’t receive their already-meagre pay of $100 per month, which the government promised them when they joined.

And we know that security votes can fuel the kind of political violence that, particularly in the run-up to this next election, puts the lives of Nigerians and the stability of our country at risk. We have seen this in Anambra State, where funds have gone to vigilante groups like the Bakassi Boys. Security votes are providing officials with slush funds to build private armouries, stoke ethnic tensions and divide opponents, creating dangerous networks of power.

Read Also:

  • Army Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Deputy Commander in Kogi
  • Police Arrest 56 Suspects in Coordinated Raids Across FCT
  • Who Really Killed Charlie Kirk? By Femi Fani-Kayode

Security votes represent a significant waste of resources that our legitimate military forces desperately need to tackle the range of security issues we face – piracy in the Delta, Boko Haram, and farmer-herder conflicts require a response, and in order to provide it these forces need funds. But spending on something with security in its name does not create security. Instead, security votes represent a drawing-away of money from those institutions that actually need it most – and because they are conducted with no oversight, control or transparency, they in fact feed into conflict and stoke tensions, rather than resolving them.

Ultimately, we need to have security votes brought to an end. Legislation should be introduced to this effect as soon as possible, and it should be accompanied by legislation specifying budgeting procedures and criteria for security expenditure.

But we recognise that this will take some time. And the first step is to look at the model of Lagos, where a trust fund has been set up that takes the oversight out of the hands of those receiving this money. The LSSTF is governed by a board that includes government, civil society, and private sector representatives. It is audited independently each year, and its procurement processes are competitive and relatively free from security force interference. This has led to increased support from the private sector – 30-40% of its funds now come from companies – and provides a model that other states should look to, until a complete ban on security vote spending is enacted.

In spite of non-existence of specific constitutional or statutory basis, security votes are publicly permitted, prioritised and sustained regardless of transparency, accountability and impacts of utilisation at all levels of government. It is on this note that the Report provides detailed accounts, historical perspectives and implications of security votes to our nation’s socio-economic and political prosperity.

While it acknowledges the existing efforts by many state governors who use a significant portion of their security votes to top-up funding to federal security agencies operating in their states, the Report, with case studies from federal and states levels, does not conceal the fact that widespread use of security votes by federal, state, and even local officials clearly undermines transparency and accountability, and international practice.

Similarly, the report exposes the extent of misplaced priority in the allocation of security votes where some identified Ministries, Departments and Agencies received security votes in the proposed 2018 budget, despite having no security-related function.

I hope relevant stakeholders will effectively utilise holistic recommendations itemised and highlighted in this Report to interrogate transparency and accountability, uproot the precarious socio-economic implications of security votes in the country and restore sanity in our financing for the security sector.

I would like to appreciate Transparency International Defence and Security (TI-DS) for its support that brought this Report to limelight; and my colleagues at Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), which is a National Contact of Transparency International (TI), for making it worthwhile.

AUWAL IBRAHIM MUSA (RAFSANJANI)
Executive Director,
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Camouflaged Cash
  • CISLAC
  • SEcurity Votes
Previous articleWomen Minister Appeals for Domestication of Child Rights Act in the North
Next articleICPC Docks UK-based Neurology Prof, Wife over N233.6m Fraud
Auwal Ibrahim Musa (rafsanjani)
Auwal Ibrahim Musa (rafsanjani)
https://prnigeria.com
PRNigeria is the pioneer Press Release Distribution agency in Nigeria. A member of image Merchant Promotions limited, PRNigeria encourages individuals and organisations to be more transparent in their information management. with dedicated Editorial staffs, the PRNigeria ensures that information provided on its platforms are timely, factual and authoritative Read more at: //prnigeria.com/about/
Facebook Twitter

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Military Strengthens Counter-Insurgency Drive as PCRC, NSCDC Seek Support in Borno

Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman,

NAHCON staff commend Chairman Over New Postings, Promotions

court Judiciary

Court Okays DSS Request to Accelerate Trial of Al-Barnawi, 4 Other Terrorists

AI for Writing

MUST READ: Why Everyone Should Use AI for Writing, With Pride Without Shame By Abdulsalam Mahmud

IGP Kayode Egbetokun Police Boss

IGP Has Legal Powers to Issue Tinted-Glass Permits, Police Reply NBA Amidst Legal Suit

Troops Eliminate Bandits in Benue, Foil Attack in Katsina

Suicide Awareness

FG Sets December 2025 Deadline to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide – Pate

Baze University Management visits TETFUND, Showcases Tech-Driven Growth, National Impact

Commissioner of Police FCT Ajao Saka Adewale

Police arrest 71 suspected criminals in FCT

Military Troops in Action

Troops Repel Bandit Attack in Katsina, Rescue Kidnap Victims

UniAbuja entrance gate

Yakubu Gowon University UniAbuja Promotes 104 Academic Staff to Professiorial Rank

​Operation HADIN KAI Launches Air-to-Ground Integration Capacity Building

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Recent Posts

  • Army Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Deputy Commander in Kogi
  • Police Arrest 56 Suspects in Coordinated Raids Across FCT
  • Who Really Killed Charlie Kirk? By Femi Fani-Kayode
  • Military Strengthens Counter-Insurgency Drive as PCRC, NSCDC Seek Support in Borno
  • NAHCON staff commend Chairman Over New Postings, Promotions
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Army Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Deputy Commander in KogiPolice Arrest 56 Suspects in Coordinated Raids Across FCTWho Really Killed Charlie Kirk? By Femi Fani-KayodeMilitary Strengthens Counter-Insurgency Drive as PCRC, NSCDC Seek Support in BornoNAHCON staff commend Chairman Over New Postings, PromotionsMilitary Eliminates Terrorist Commanders in Yobe, Foil Attacks in Sokoto, ZamfaraUNIMAID appoints Prof. Mu’azu as Pioneer Dean, Faculty of CommunicationKano Separated Conjoined Twins Return Home After Successful Surgery in S/ArabiaCourt Okays DSS Request to Accelerate Trial of Al-Barnawi, 4 Other TerroristsKano Government Approves ₦1.1bn for School Uniforms to Tackle Out-of-School Children CrisisPolice Chief Tasks Border Patrol Commanders on Enhanced SecurityAir Chief Links Fiscal Discipline to Nigeria’s National Security, Operational ReadinessArmy Arrest Notorious Cattle Rustlers, Recover Arms in PlateauTroops Repel Bandits’ Attacks in Kaduna, Katsina, Recover Rustled CattleMining Marshals and the Fight for Nigeria’s Mineral Future By Zekeri Idakwo Laruba
X whatsapp