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Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (efcc) And The Fight Against Corruption In Nigeria: An Assessment
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The commission blamed the Executive for interfering in its activities
through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. Bails have
allegedly been secured for people who were arrested by the Commission
through the Attorney General. And at the end of the day, the country
ends up being the loser, if an agency that is funded by the Government
is prevented from carrying out its functions by agents of the same
government. Internal politics also affected the quick and diligent
prosecution of a lot of cases. Each time a new Chairman comes on board,
there is bound to be the redeployment of officers believed to be in the
structure built by the chairman’s predecessors. The transfer of a lot of
investigators has reportedly done a lot to affect the cases that were
handled by such officers.
In conclusion, this study aimed at looking
at the EFCC and their fight against corruption in Nigeria (A won or lost
battle). It suggested that the commission should explore the
inter-nations technical co-operation on corruption, to develop mechanism
that would help Nigeria have a system that discourages outright
stealing of public fund, and develop an anti-corruption war that relied
on forensic evidence, well-trained personnel and free of unnecessary
controversies. EFFC should, this time-around, effectively utilize the
provisions in the National Assembly Act 2004, establishing it. For
instance, Part III, section 12, subsection 1(c) and subsection (2),
which provided for establishment of Research Unit; and any committee to
assist the commission, are good avenues for the commission to explore to
bring itself at par with Nigerians expectations. However, the best
weapon the new helmsman of EFFC have, is, adherence to rule of law,
because with the current uncompromising stand on adherence to Rule of
Law, by President Yar’Adua, any disregard of Rule of Law will not only
send one to kuru, it may send one to Kirikiri.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Corruption
is one of the most widespread social evils in Nigeria; it is seen as a
main threat in the public and private sphere. Corruption undermines
fragile democratic systems by fuelling popular disillusionment with
politics and politicians; it also undermines trust and confidence, which
are necessary for upholding and development of sustainable economic and
social order. Corruption is not only peculiar to Nigeria, it is a
global phenomenon. However, anti-corruption war in Nigeria is like a
gun-war being fought with bows and arrows, it is a war that can turn its
fighters into victims and those being fought into heroes, it is a war
that both sides manipulate to gain personal and political points, it is a
‘world’ of controversies, politics, extensive debates and high public
expectations.
EFCC is the central institution saddled with the
responsibility of fighting Nigeria’s anti-corruption war. The Commission
and its helmsmen were recently featuring in the news in positive as
well as negative pictures, both at local and international media. EFCC
and its protagonists hold the view that, the Commission is on the right
track; while its antagonists and some public commentators have observed
some lapses in the manner the Commission is executing its mission.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following are some of the questions which this study intends to answer:
i) what is the prevalence of EFCC and their fight against corruption in Nigeria?
ii) what are the factors responsible EFCC and their fight against corruption in Nigeria?
iii) what are the ways in which the EFCC can win their fight against corruption i
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