ANTI GRAFT WAR AND THE NIGERIA'S CORRUPTION CRISIS

Abstract

One of the critical challenges facing the entire globe is the menace of corruption. Its
prevalence spares polity in both developed and developing societies although at varying
level and magnitude. In Nigeria, just like other Sub-Saharan African states, it has become
a great issue of concern. As a response to the perceived alarming rate of such
phenomenon, the Nigerian state had at various times come up with policies and
programmesaimed at curtailing it. Among these are the EFCC and ICPC. This paper
examines whetherthe anti-graft war of EFCC and ICPCcurtailed the corruptioncrisis in
Nigeria. Data for the study were derived largely from secondary source with content
analysis as the main analysis technique; however, interviews were conducted to some
enlightened members of public to complement the secondary data. The study found that
the failure of Anti Corruption Agencies (ACAs) to effectively curtail corruption was due
tolow autonomy, ineffective punishment and low commitment on the part of personnel. It
was recommended that ACAs should be fully autonomous; their staff be more committed;
and punishments be reviewed and made more severe.
Keywords: Corruption, anti-graft, punishment, autonomy, transparency