INSIGHT INTO THE RATIONALE FOR ANTI-CORRUPTION LAWS OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Corruption is a major problem in Nigeria which incidence pre-dates the existence of Nigeria- dating back to the colonial era of Nigeria. This led to the enactment of anti-corruption legislations and their commissions in the Fourth Republic of Nigeria but despite the efforts in the corruption programme, the problem still persist, manifesting in dimensions never thought about and this has intensified the reasoning, if we truly understand the vice of corruption to enable a holistic eradication of it. In this regard, the primary objective of this research is an evaluation of the vice of corruption to ensure adequate appreciation of it in furtherance to implementation of anti-corruption laws in Nigeria. This research adopts the doctrinal methodology wherein primary and secondary sources where resorted to. The primary sources include anti-graft laws like the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); the EFCC (establishment) Act, 2004, etc. Conversely, the secondary sources include literatures on corruption, official reports, peer reviewed journals, etc. The research concludes that corruption is demining and in order for government to realise its fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy of fighting corruption it must avoid implementation perfid; instilstiffer punishments for all those convicted of economic and financial crimes and also revise the tradition of treating the corruption problems with levity.