The only presentation for the day was made by Brig Gen ED Idimah Subject Experts Central America, his presentation was centered on how Guatemala Supreme Court orders release of anti-corruption crusader, Guatemala’s supreme court on 28 December 2023, ordered the release of former anti-corruption prosecutor Virginia Laparra and was sentenced to four years in prison for abuse of authority in a trial criticized by the international community. Laparra’s conviction was condemned by the United States, the European Union, Amnesty International, and other human rights organizations and the attorney general’s office in Guatemala has been accused by the United States of undermining democracy.
In his analysis and lesson for Nigeria, General Idimah noted that Nigeria can learn from the Guatemala case by prioritizing the independence of the judiciary, seeking more international support, protecting whistleblowers, promoting accountability and transparency, and strengthening corruption efforts to build a more just and accountable system
He recommended that FGN should enhance the capacity of anti-corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) by providing adequate resources, training, and legal protection and also should establish a robust legal framework to protect whistleblowers who report corruption and collaborate with International organizations and governments to exchange knowledge, expertise, and best practices in combating corruption.
Present at the presentations was the DG, Maj Gen GA Wahab (Rtd), Senior Research Fellows, Research Fellows, Directors and other management staff of the center.
