Rewrite and Proofread:
The United States has claimed that corruption remains endemic in Nigerian government institutions. This assertion was part of its focus report on Nigeria in 2023, titled ‘2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria’. The report, compiled by the United States Department of State, addressed various human rights issues in Nigeria and other countries worldwide.
Among the concerns highlighted in the report was the arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings, allegedly committed by government agents. Incidents such as police opening fire at a wedding party in Katsina and a police officer shooting a man in Delta State over a reported bribe were cited as examples. The report also mentioned instances of violence involving the military, such as soldiers firing at neighborhood watch guards in Enugu State.
The report further alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet harbored official corruption. It criticized the appointment of Abubakar Bagudu as Minister of Budget, citing Bagudu’s reported involvement in corruption during the regime of Sani Abacha.
Additionally, the report raised concerns about the administration of justice and the deplorable conditions in Nigerian prisons. It highlighted issues such as arbitrary arrests, lengthy pretrial detention, and corruption within law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Regarding the 2023 general election, the report acknowledged some irregularities but stated that overall, the elections reflected the will of the voters. However, it noted instances of voter suppression and intimidation, particularly in Lagos State, where supporters of the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, were reportedly harassed by agents of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In summary, the report painted a grim picture of human rights practices in Nigeria, citing corruption, extrajudicial killings, and electoral irregularities as significant concerns.
