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HEDA Rallies Support For Establishment of Global Anti-Corruption Court

Published

3 years ago

October 12, 2023

The growing demand for the establishment of an International Anti-Corruption Court has been described as a viable means of reducing corruption in Nigeria’s public sector, as well as combating illicit financial flow globally.

Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) made these assertions during an anti-corruption radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development, PRIMORG, Wednesday in Abuja.

HEDA’s Legal Officer, David Ogungbesan, underscored the importance of establishing an international anti-corruption court, noting that it is necessary given the rising need to strengthen the prosecution of corrupt individuals, as well as urged Nigerians to support the advocacy.

Ogungbesan stressed that having an international court to try graft will deter public officers from engaging in corrupt acts to help local law enforcement agencies and the administration of justice in the country, adding that it provides the opportunity for Nigeria and other countries to explore international means towards mitigating corruption.

“The impact of corruption on Nigerian society is there for everyone to see. We believe that besides preventing corruption, a way to go about it is by prosecution, which is a good measure to deter public officers from engaging in corrupt practices. The international anti-corruption court will also aid the local law enforcement agencies and the situation of injustice in the system.

“It’s an opportunity for Nigeria, and of course, other countries to explore international means towards reducing corruption in our society. It will not be conflicting with the court of the land but will be important in combating illicit financial flow,” He stressed.

Ogungbesan revealed that the immediate past president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, and over 100 world leaders have hitherto expressed support for establishing an international court to prosecute corruption. He acknowledged that there would be challenges against establishing an international court to prosecute corruption. He urged citizens to hold leaders to account and support the initiative given the positives it brings.

“The people need to take this advocacy seriously. They should talk about it, engage their representatives, and buy into this idea,” Ogungbesan stressed.

On her part, Programme Officer at West African Bar Association, Dabotonye Dappa, also urged Nigerians to support the initiative of a special court to prosecute corruption while citing judiciary independence and lack of political will by leaders to fight crime as a “major problem.”

Her words: “In trying to tackle lack of political will, the judiciary has a huge role to play, and that is why we call for the independence of the judiciary, not a judiciary that is influenced by the Executive.

“Because at the end of the day, in fighting corruption, we end up in the courts, and when we have judges that are being influenced by the same corrupt people we are fighting, we are back to square one,” Dappa stated.

Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

5 hours ago

October 25, 2026

The Gleamer

By James Samuel, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service has said the nation’s borders must become gateways of opportunity for African women entrepreneurs, not obstacles that kill their businesses.

This was disclosed at the African Women’s Economic Sovereignty Summit and Awards (AWESSA) 2026 held at the Customs House, corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja.

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, his representative, an Assistant Controller, said hosting the summit inside Customs premises was deliberate.

“That this summit holds within the Customs premises is no accident. It is a statement of intent,” he said.

“The border is where the promise of every African trader either comes alive or dies quietly. And the men and women of this Service have resolved that for every woman entrepreneur of this continent, that promise will never die.”

He said women account for an estimated 70% of informal cross-border trade in Africa and over half of agricultural labour, yet they face documentation, standards, finance and harassment challenges.

“Too often she meets the border as an obstacle rather than a gateway. Because she trades in small volumes, in cash, in informality without formal papers, capable business women are now trapped in informality, invisible to trade statistics,” he noted.

He added: “AfCFTA will not be delivered by treaties alone. It will be delivered at border posts, in conference halls, and in market stores.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, represented by a Director, said women are central to Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.

According to her, NEPC’s focus is now on building export- ready competitive enterprises through programmes like the Women in Export Initiative, Export Clinic, and Zero to Export.

“Our focus is no longer on encouraging exports alone, it is on building competitive export-ready enterprises. We are supporting women to move beyond production into value addition, quality assurance, standard compliance, branding and market positioning,” she said.

She said AfCFTA offers a market of over one billion people, but women need knowledge, certifications and institutional support.

“Empowering women economically is one of the most effective tools for achieving poverty reduction, food security, job creation and inclusive growth,” she stated.

The Convener, Helen Okon, who is the Publisher of Business Review Africa & Africa Today Magazine, as well as representatives of NAFDAC DG and NEXIM Bank MD, reaffirmed commitment to supporting women-owned businesses access standards, certification and finance.

The summit, with the theme of positioning women as drivers of trade and sustainable development, is part of activities marking the International Year of the Women Farmer.

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