1. Preventing Corruption in Nigeria: The relevance of the Islamic approach and the roles of Nigerian Muslim youth
Imam-Tamim, Muhammad Kamaldeen,
Najibah Mohd Zin,
Norliah Ibrahim,
Roslina Che Yusoff
Presented at the International Conference on Law, Order and Criminal Justice organised by Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws held at ISTAC, IIUM on 19 and 20 November 2014

2. “The day will come
when our republic will be an impossibility because wealth will be concentrated in the hands of a few. When that day comes, we must rely upon the wisdom of the best elements in the country to readjust the laws of the nation”
President James Madison

3. Issues What is Corruption?
What are the approaches to combating Corruption?
What is the effects of Corruption on Nigerian Society?
What is the Nigerian Legal Approach towards combating corruption?
What is the Shari’ah approach to preventing corruption?
What is the relevance of the Islamic approach in Nigeria?
What are the roles of the Muslim Youths in preventing corruption in Nigeria?
Final thoughts and recommendations

4. What is corruption?
Anything that deviates from the lawful and morally right system agreed to by the people of a particular locality.
Corruption allows decisions and actions of a person to be influenced not by rights or wrongs of a cause but by the prospects of monetary gains or other selfish considerations.

5. Approaches to combating corruption
Confrontational approach
Psychological approach

6. Approaches to combating corruption
Collective action approach

7. Effects of Corruption on Nigerian Society
national cake mentality
Perverted social psyche
Lack of productivity, initiative and creativity
Stunted economic development
Jungle justice
Security challenges (Boko haram, Niger Delta Militants)
Abuse of rule of law and Criminal justice system
Inadequate education
Loss of Human capital

8. Nigerian Legal Approach towards combating corruption
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999
Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act
Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act (ICPC Act)

9. The Shari’ah approach to preventing corruption
Legal Frameworks
Shari’ah as a legal System
No separation between state and religion
Islamic governments cater for both body and soul of citizens
Punishment is the last resort for combatting crimes
Shari’ah courts
To establish justice and prevent corruption
Focuses on substantive and not technical justice
Processes are simple, expedient and aim at purifying witnesses
No immunity clause

10. The Shari’ah approach to preventing corruption
Institutional Frameworks
Institution of Mazaalim
A public complaints mechanism: focuses on complaints against public officers
Informally retrieves rights of oppressed and weak regardless of social status, age, etc.
Monitors and prevents public workers from looting
Hisbah institution
Focuses on correcting citizens and directing them to righteousness
Take away corruption tempting factors from the society
Controls economic activities and prevent cheating in business

11. The Shari’ah approach to preventing corruption
Institutional Frameworks
Zakat institution
To combat poverty and ensure that every citizen fulfils his basic needs and survive economic pressure
Enables poor and needy to participate in economic activities with full responsibility

12. The Shari’ah approach to preventing corruption
Institutional Framework
Waqf institution
For both social and economic purposes
For building infrastructures and basic amenities: education, health care services, environmental preservation, cultural preservation, research and design, etc.

13. The relevance of the Islamic approach in Nigeria
Nigerian Legal Approach
Confrontational Approach
Shari’ah Approach
Collective Action Approach

14. The relevance of the Islamic approach in Nigeria
Focus on EMPOWERMENT not PUNISHMENT
Fight against corruption should be rooted in the religious and cultural values of the society
Removal of immunity clauses
Can adopt a national policy based on hisbah and mazaalim mechanisms
Can institutionalise zakah and waqf funds management.

15. The roles of the Muslim Youths in preventing corruption in Nigeria
The best set of mankind
Mutual cooperation in enforcing righteousness and prohibiting evil
Peaceful advocacy for positive change (nasiha)
Resistance of internal corruption.

16. Conclusion and Policy Recommendations
Shift in approach: Confrontational to Collective action approach
Institutionalisation of zakah and waqf and their integration into the economic system
Incorporation of hisbah and mazaalim principles into the existing anti-corruption structures
Review of non-justiciability and immunity provisions in the Constitution.

17. Thank you for listening