A report by the United States Department of State has described as “widespread and pervasive” the manifestation of corruption under the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The U.S. in its 2020 annual report on human rights said Buhari’s government has failed to take action to stop widespread looting using existing laws that criminalise theft in public service.
“Although the law provides criminal penalties for conviction of official corruption, the government did not consistently implement the law, and government employees frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity,” the U.S. report said.
“Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government, including the judiciary and security services.”
Buhari rode to power in 2015 on the back of a much vaunted anticorruption fight.
But the former military head of state has largely failed to live up to his promise, with criminal activities rife amongst his officials.
The U.S. report also corroborated the findings of corruption watchdog Transparency International, which has consistently found that both Mr Buhari and his officials have been even more corrupt than previous governments they derided before coming to power.
The U.S. report comes as Buhari departed for London for what the presidency termed ‘routine medical treatments’, leaving behind striking doctors at public health facilities across the country.
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