THE RIGHT TO A CORRUPT FREE STATE: PROBING THE PROVISIONS UNDER THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION AND INSTIGATING THE UNITED NATIONS LEGAL PARADIGM TO THE RESCUE

Abstract

Corruption is a major societal crisis in the 21st century. It is widespread in both developing and developed countries. During the 1980s and 1990s, foremost banking frauds and corruption scandals occurred in many countries. Nigeria has witnessed its fair share of such scandals, particularly during the military era and also in its current democratic dispensation. The consequences of corruption on Nigeria’s economy can be found in other areas of the country’s institutions such as government, politics, both public and private establishments, schools etc. This article probes the domestic legal framework under the criminal justice administration and insinuates the possibility of adopting the United Nations legal paradigm as an escape route. In carrying out the assessment, the study examined the causes and consequences of corruption. It also undertook a comprehensive study of domestic legal framework on corruption and the United Nations legal paradigm on corruption. It is therefore contended that the existing reforms and policies on corruption need to be genuinely appraised and fortified to ruthlessly deal with the causes of corruption rather than its effects.