Nigerian anti-corruption action

Voters wanted an end to corruption

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has sworn in members of a new anti-corruption commission.

The commission, whose members are mainly prominent civilians, has wide-ranging powers to investigate and instigate prosecution in cases of corruption.

Commission can:

Appoint counsel to investigate president

Summon officials

Order imprisonment for failure to disclose information

Inspect financial records of suspects

Seize assets corruptly acquired

Source: AFP news agency

Some of its powers have been criticised by human rights groups, who say they are an invasion of privacy and an infringement of the legal system.

In September, Nigeria was ranked the most corrupt country in the world by Transparency International and President Obasanjo says stamping out corruption is one of the main aims of his administration.

But our correspondent in Lagos, Barnaby Philips, says Nigerians are becoming cynical about the lack of action since Mr Obasanjo was elected 18 months ago.

He says the inauguration of this commission may signal the beginning of a more committed approach.

New beginning

In June, Mr Obasanjo sent the names of the 13-member commission to the upper house of parliament for screening and for once he secured the co-operation of Nigeria's National Assembly.

Corruption has been widespread in the assembly

The commission will be headed by the retired and respected judge Mustapha Akanbi and is comprised mainly of prominent lawyers, academics and civil servants.

It has been given wide-ranging powers to investigate whomsoever it choses, and will act independently of government.

Powers earlier demanded for the commission by Mr Obasanjo to open private mail and tap telephone lines were withdrawn after protests from the Nigerian Senate and human rights groups.

Commission must include:

Two members from each geographical region

A retired senior police officer

A senior lawyer

A chartered accountant

A retired senior civil servant

A woman

A "youth" aged 21-30

Chair must be a retired judge

Source: AFP news agency

The commission can also prosecute those offering bribes as well those demanding or receiving them.

Mr Obasanjo promised in his inauguration speech to fight corruption, injustice and human rights violations.

His stance was welcomed both within and outside Nigeria, but many subsequently complained the words had not been matched by actions.

He has also been embarrassed by extraordinary revelations of corruption within the country's National Assembly.

Half-hearted

His critics have accused him of a lack of commitment to an inquiry into the activities of the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha, and of refusing to investigate claims of even greater corruption under his predecessor Ibrahim Babangida.

Members of General Abacha's regime are accused of stealing up to $4bn of public funds.

The late Abacha has millions in Swiss banks

His eldest surviving son, Mohammed Abacha, was formally charged with financial crimes and corruption earlier in September.

Western countries have demanded Mr Abacha be put on trial as a first step towards Nigeria recovering more than $1.3bn worth of assets frozen in European bank accounts related to the Abacha family.