Bribery and Corruption Casebook: The View from Under the Table

CHAPTER 21

The Seemingly Upstanding Citizen

AUSTINE S. M. ADACHE

Jawu Bayamilada was a successful 55-year-old businessman who attended college in Zaria, Nigeria, and later enrolled in the London School of Economics to train as an administrator and economist. After fulfilling his duty to the Nigerian National Youth Service, he went into corporate private practice. A few years into his career, he accepted a position with Blue Sky Marketing, where he rose to marketing manager and later resigned to join the government.

His public career began with his employment as a senior administrative officer in the Management Commission. He later moved to the National Development Authority (NDA), where he served in different capacities and was later appointed director-general. Jawu was married to Munara, and their marriage was blessed with four children, Jana, Phalama, Junana, and Esasina.

Many of his colleagues heard Jawu philosophize over the years about his post-retirement goal “to retire but never to tire of public service.” When he did retire, he wanted to go after his dream.

Jawu decided to run for an open senate spot in the Nigerian congress. He believed Nigerian politics were highly monetized, so he was prepared for intense electioneering during his campaign. As a prelude to his bid for office, he joined the Patriotic People’s Party, the dominant party at the time. He started earning a favorable reputation with the local chapter by donating his time, money and expertise as a career administrator. ...