Although
Nigeria has sufficient anti-corruption and bribery laws, implementation of such
laws has over the years been the major problem in the avowed fight against
graft. There is a renewed demand for compliance of anti-corruption laws already
in place in Nigeria, given that there are adequate legal frameworks spelling
out offences and sanctions with regards to corruption. There are existing gaps
in the legal framework in relation to the role of anti-corruption agencies and
public/private sector in perpetrating and/or curbing corruption.
The array of
structures, institutions and laws (EFCC, ICPC, PCC, CCB) already in place in
Nigeria seems to be grossly in-effective, with most of them suffering from serious
corruption deficit. The setting up of these structures and institutions seems
to be highly faulty and as such cannot fight the very scourge which they are
built on (Corruption)
Any Anti
corruption strategy must look at the doctrine of separation of powers, which
looks at oppressive and arbitrary rule when all functions of government are exercised by a
single person or institution, Corruption does not involve just people in
government, but also to people in both private and public positions.
In the
Nigerian context though corruption is prevalent in the public sector, there is
the renewed need for the private sector and other sector’s of the economy to be
beamed with the corruption search light. This will give a better appraisal of
the endemic system of corruption. And in tackling the corruption in the Private
sector, Nigeria planned strategy against corruption must conform to the
provisions of articles 12, 21, 22 and 39 of UNCAC which deals directly with the
private sector.
There is also
the need to add to the cause of corruption, Sociological factors, which
underlines Multi-ethnic societies which may be more likely to fall prey to
corruption as a result of failure to manage ethnic conflict in a way that is
fair to everyone.
Broadly, in
order to nip corruption in the bud, there must be renewed emphasis on transparency,
integrity, and accountability in all private and public transaction. The
Achanism Model named after Achan in the Bible can be a good standard for
checking the excesses of corrupt persons. Achan in the scripture was avaricious
(Joshua 7). He was caught and his entire family was severely dealt with. His
children, who might have expected to inherit the proceeds of his illegal act,
were not allowed to do so. Simply, the law should be enforced to its fullest
without fear or favour.
Transformation
in form of education of the public is a necessary factor in social
transformation. There is need for formation and reformation, orientation and
re-orientation of the minds and heart of Nigerians, for them to see that
corruption is the enemy of development.
Another
addition to the checks of corruption should also be the Improvement of Socio-political
and Economic Life. This is another weapon against corruption in Nigeria. The
multiplying effects of this improvement will reduce the tendency of public
servants to demand and take bribes and get involved in other corrupt practices.
In reducing
institutional vulnerabilities based on organisation assessments/corruption risk
assessments, agencies like the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption
Reforms (TUGAR) and other non-state actors must take principal roles in the
fight against corruption looking at their roles in the anti-corruption fight
over the years in Nigeria
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