U.S. accuses Buhari of looting Nigeria with impunity

The corruption being perpetuated under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is ‘pervasive”, the United States has said.

The position of the U. S. was contained in  its 2020 annual report on human rights.

According to the report published on Tuesday, the U.S. said the current administration overseeing the affairs of Nigeria has not done well to stop widespread looting despite existing laws that criminalise theft in the  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.”

“Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government, including the judiciary and security services,” part of the report read.

The report also condemned the immunity clause in the Constitution that shields president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors from facing charges while in office.

The report negates the promise of Mr Buhari to fight corruption when he was elected in 2015.

Many of his officials have been enmeshed in a series of corruption cases. Rather than take decisive measures, the president repeatedly looked away.