The Challenges Facing The Economic And Financial Crime Commission (efcc) In Fighting Corruption Among Elected Public Servants

The modern world faces numerous challenges that threaten the stability and survival of nation-states, with corruption being a particularly pervasive issue. The widespread and entrenched nature of corruption makes it difficult to combat effectively. It manifests in varying degrees across different countries, impacting the Global North and Global South in distinct ways. Nigeria is no exception to this challenge, which has resulted in economic stagnation, political instability, social insecurity, infrastructure deterioration, lack of accountability, and a disregard for the rule of law. Efforts to tackle corruption in Nigeria have encountered significant setbacks. However, the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has led to some notable progress in addressing the issue.

This study, drawing on both primary and secondary data, examines the EFCC and the challenges it faces in combating corruption among elected public officials. Recognizing that corruption is a complex phenomenon embedded in nearly all social institutions and characterized by transnational and global connections, a theoretical framework was employed for the analysis.

The findings reveal that the EFCC faces numerous obstacles, including interference from powerful elites, flaws in the judicial process, insufficient manpower and low staff motivation, limited public support in providing information, and over-reliance on external resources. To improve the effectiveness of the EFCC, several recommendations are proposed, including fostering collaboration with other financial intelligence units (FIUs), repealing laws that hinder its operations, and ensuring the agency operates independently, free from executive and legislative interference, among other measures.