In May 2025, the first external audit of the National Anti -Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) was published in ten years. The Independent Commission of International Experts has revealed a number of deep structural problems in the work of a body that should be a model of transparency and responsibility.
The audit report, which included Robert Westbrooks (USA), Martin Arpo (Estonia) and Hermione Teresa Kronen (South Africa), records both failures in the work of internal control and signs of excessive NABU leadership influence on the investigation, in particular on the example of the first deputy director of Gizo.
Without sentences and with conflict of interest
The NABU Internal Control (UVR) Office has not proved any case to the sentence concerning the leakage of information within the bureau. The auditors point out that the structure simultaneously performs preventive and investigative functions, which creates a direct conflict of interest. In addition, the decision on the beginning or termination of the official investigation is made personally by NABU Director Semen Krivonos.
In 2023–2024, separate internal proceedings were opened, but none of them even ended with suspicion. It is significant that Krivonos avoids any specific commentary on cases that caused public resonance, instead publicly accuses lawyers, courts, police, SBU-all but subordinate detectives.
Nabwagate scandal and lawyers with the past
The focus is the Kiev lawyers under the leadership of Dmitry Borzikh, who are considered to be "the most influential" and "dangerous" opponents. It is a so -called Nabegate case, when the NABU detectives have installed illegal listening, including the negotiating room in the office of these lawyers.
Lawyers, most of whom previously worked in the Main Military Prosecutor's Office, deny all the accusations, claiming that NABU's actions are a violation of lawyer's secret. The DBR has already opened criminal proceedings against NABU detectives.
Silence in the case of Uglava
Particular attention in the report is the case of the expert director of NABU Gizo Uglava, who was accused of leakage of information on the preparation of searches in cases of billions of losses. Despite the loud resonance, the Uglav was released without suspicion. The investigation is not completed, and the NABU management is publicly ignored by this topic.
Journalists record the appearance of Uglavs in closed Kiev clubs, where it is protected and in the company of persons from the criminal environment. He had full access to NABU strategic investigations, and the amount of possible leaks is unknown.
Formal accountability and KPI on paper
The auditors indicate that internal control does not actually check the lifestyle of the bureau workers. For example, in 2023 only 6 inspections were carried out, in 2024 - 10, and only three of them ended in investigations. NABU's silence on cryptomators of detectives that revealed millions of amounts is also indicative. Krivonos did not give any reaction.
The report lists the words of the former NABU employee:
"It is better to complain of internal control less," - a quote from section 37 of the audit.
Summary: NABU is “moderately effective” but it is almost a failure
The independent assessment of NABU gave a formal assessment of "moderately effective", which barely exceeds the minimum score, which avoids the issue of director of Krivonos director. However, the actual conclusion is one: the bureau requires radical reform of internal supervision, transparency, and real responsibility.
