DUE PROCESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS IN THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC SERVICE

Abstract

The problem of under-development in Nigeria today can be attributed to breach of due process and accountability in the public sector. Sharp practices and other corrupt activities have characterized the Nigerian public sector. The Transparency International has several times ranked Nigeria as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Also, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has also consistently ranked Nigeria as having one of the lowest Human Development Index (HDI) in the world. The World Bank stated that eighty percent (80%) of Nigeria's Oil Wealth is owned and controlled by just one percent (1%) of Nigerians. In the light of the foregoing, an attempt has been made to examine the mechanisms of due process and accountability in the Nigerian Public Service, by depending on secondary sources of data collection, such as text books, academic journals, newspapers and magazines, internet sources and so on. As a result of an in-depth investigation of various scientific reports on the issue, it was found that the mechanisms for due process and accountability in Nigeria have been empirically justified to be reliable, effective and sustainable in ensuring due process and accountability in the Nigeria public service. It was also, observed in the paper that for these mechanisms to perform optimally, effective leadership skills must be inculcated in the leaders and policy makers in the Nigerian Public Service. Conclusively, the paper gave several recommendations on the possible way out of the crisis of breach of due process and accountability, as well as corruption in the Nigerian Public service.Such as the eradication of selective prosecution of officials, the physical assessment of assets declared by key public officials, appointment of people of probity and accountability into sensitive public offices, adequate remuneration of security operatives and other personnel charged with combating corruption and breach of due process,establishment of specialize courts for prosecuting corruption and it related cases. Others include: the funding of anti-corruption agencies should be charged on the consolidated revenue fund rather than on the executive, reduction of incentives to political offices to check unwholesome electoral competition, entrenchment of freedom of information to all necessary governmental activities, establishment of electronic governance, and the inculcation of the right moral and ethical values in bureaucrats.