The Anti-Corruption War in Nigeria: A Critical Appraisal of the Role of the ICPC and EFCC
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The anti-corruptionregime of the last eight years has brought Nigeria
to international spotlight in favourable terms. However, back at
home, the crusade has come under heavy attacks, with many
perceiving it as a pawn and political tool of the ruling party with
which to frighten and neutralize opposition. However, anticorruption
war, prior to the time it started, was long overdue in
Nigeria. It is pertinent to note that corruption has cost Nigeria a
whopping 220 billion pounds since 1966. The ravaging effect of
corruption on national development in Nigeria is, thus, stupendous.
To check the malignancy of it, President Olusegun Obasanjo's
administration instituted the Independent Corrupt Practices and
Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) established by the AntiCorruption
Acts of 2000 and 2002 respectively, to investigate,
apprehend and prosecute individuals, groups and institutions
found culpable or corrupt, and unearth frauds and recover public
loots. This paper appraises the anti-corruption war, by critically
evaluating the activities of the EFCC and ICPC. It observes that the
war has not only been successful in curbing political corruption in
Nigeria, but is also restoring confidence of the international
community in Nigeria, and lubricating the country's foreign policy
for economic development.
Keywords
H Social Sciences (General)