Nigerian corruption agency looks to K Street

Nigeria’s premier corruption watchdog has called on a Washington consulting firm to help it secure more U.S. foreign aid for its work back in Africa.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) hired KRL International on a month-to-month pro bono contract, according to recent records filed with the Justice Department.

{mosads}The EFCC played a key role in the indictment of Rep. William Jefferson and was asked by the FBI to share documents for their investigation of the Louisiana Democrat. Jefferson was indicted this summer on charges of racketeering, money laundering and soliciting bribes in connection with business deals he allegedly arranged in Africa. He has denied wrongdoing.

In Nigeria, meanwhile, EFCC’s efforts have focused on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The group accused Abubakar of corruption during his reelection run this past spring.  

The contract calls for KRL to reach out to a variety of non-governmental organizations and think tanks as well as lawmakers and administration officials to garner more support for the EFCC’s work in Nigeria. KRL will seek aid from private donors as well.

“It is something no longer imposed from the outside but is bubbling up from the population itself,” said Riva Levinson, managing director of KRL, about the EFCC’s anti-corruption drive. “It is an African concern, not just a donor concern.”

Levinson said the contract stems from her firm’s historical relationship with Nigeria’s previous administration, headed by then-President Olesugun Obasanjo.

She added that her firm would also like to export the EFCC model to other African countries to help their own anti-corruption efforts.

A former managing director of BKSH & Associates, Levinson started her own firm last year and has worked for several African governments and political leaders in Washington.

Levinson believes the EFCC’s agenda fits in with Nigeria’s new leaders.

In town visiting President Bush this week, Nigerian President Umar Yar’Adua has made anti-corruption efforts a priority.