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COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF ONE-DAY ENHANCING INVESTIGATIVE AND REPORTING CAPACITY OF THE MEDIA IN EXPOSING CORRUPTION IN THE FINANCIAL, PROCUREMENT, OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE DEFENCE AND SECURITY SECTORS ORGANISED BY CIVIL SOCIETY LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY CENTRE (CISLAC)/TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL IN NIGERIA (TI-NIGERIA) IN COLLABORATION WITH TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL – DEFENCE AND SECURITY PROGRAMME WITH SUPPORT FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF NETHERLANDS UNDER THE AEGIS OF A PROJECT TITLED “PROTECTING HUMAN SECURITY BY TACKLING THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF CORRUPTION”, HELD AT VISA KARENA HOTTEL, PORTHARCOURT RIVERS STATE ON 15TH OCTOBER, 2025.
PREAMBLE:
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria in collaboration with Transparency International – Defence and Security Programme with support from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands held a One-day Enhancing investigative and reporting capacity of the media in exposing corruption in the Financial, Procurement, Operational activities of the Defence and Security sectors. The workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of selected journalists towards active and independent reporting to unlock transparency and accountability in the Defence and Security governance. There was an Opening Remark from Executive Director of CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani). The Meeting had a paper presentations titled: Strengthening Investigative Journalism as a Tool for Promoting Accountability in the Defence and Security Sector. It was attended by Civil Society and the media. After brainstorming exhaustively on various thematic sessions, the following key observations and recommendations were made:
OBSERVATIONS
While non-disclosure of specific Defence and Security information is critical for globally-aligned concerns, legitimate national security interests are best protected when the public is well-informed about government activities in the sector, including those undertaken to protect national security.
Investigative journalism into the Defence and Security governance is sacrosanct, to improve public knowledge, expose human rights abuse, protect whistle-blowers, identify and expose corrupt practices, provide insight into the responsibilities of oversight agencies, and expose poor performance.
Government Defence Integrity Index (GDI) aims at promoting accountability in defence governance; encourage transparency and oversight of military spending, procurement, and operations; support reforms that strengthen civilian control and anti-corruption frameworks in the sector.
Specific roles of the media in in the Defence and Security sector include to expose misuse of funds, procurement fraud, and abuse of authority; citizens sensitisation about defence budgets, procurement systems, and oversight processes; influence policy discussions on defence integrity and governance; strengthen collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs), anti-corruption agencies, and oversight bodies.
The Defence and Security sector is traditionally shrouded in secrecy in guise of national security concerns, to create opportunities for corruption, mismanagement, and lack of accountability.
While the media serves as a critical watchdog in promoting transparency, accountability, and public trust, strengthening the investigative and reporting capacity of journalists is therefore essential to expose corruption and drive reforms.
Access to information is critical to enable public scrutiny of Defence governance, policy actions and facilitates public contribution to related policy-making, while promoting proactive disclosure of budgets and expenditure information, conflicts of interest, procurement data, beneficial ownership.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
We the participants recommended as follows:
Securing public right to information through enhanced the media consciousness, sensitivity and understanding on disclosure and non-disclosure in the Defence and Security operations, procurement and financial activities, taking cognisance of global principles and standards.
Well-informed media of the Defence and Security governance for verifiable, accurate and objective reporting that inform public and and policy action to restoring transparency and accountability in the process, system, structures and activities of the sectors.
Proper information management by the media taking cognisance of sensitivity in specific globally-aligned areas of Defence and Security activities in information dissemination, to build mutual trust and understanding.
Targeted media investigation to improve accountability on the management of Security Vote by sub-national governments, to ensure accountability, prevent diversion and embezzlement.
Ensuring inclusion in the composition of monthly security meeting led by the State Government, to foster inter-agency collaboration, communication and enhance information sharing on Defence and Security activities in the state.
Strengthening existing legal provisions, passage and Presidential assent into Whistle-blower Protection Bill, to enhance civilian oversight and power of the media, to interrogate and unlock transparency and accountability in the Defence and Security sector.
Adequate life insurance and social security for journalists with specific consideration for tax relief on media outfit, to safeguard their personal safety and security.
Enhanced funding opportunities for investigative journalists to deepen interrogation, uproot facts and encourage sustainability in investigative activities into the Defence and Security sector.
Clearly-established transparent procedures and comprehensive policy to sanction erring personnel guilty of violation and abuse of jounalists, to demonstrate sincerity in the implementation human rights obligations, which discouraging future violation.
Creation of a Boot Camp for regular training and retraining of journalist Defence and Security sector, to build capacity and competence in investigation and reporting.
Signed:
Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani)
Executive Director, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria
Green Imoh Isaac
Relife Foundation Africa
