HARMONISING THE ROLES OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS IN COMBATING CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA: A CRITIQUE OF THE LAGOS STATE PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AND ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION LAW 2021

Abstract

Corruption and its many menaces in the society is considered a major challenge to the Nigerian nation. In this regard, the federal government has the legal and institutional frameworks to combat corruption. It is debatable whether these frameworks are adequate and/or effective. Being a federating State, the responsibility of combating corruption is not that of the federal government only. The State governments are expected to also adopt the necessary machinery needed to combat corruption in the State. It is expected that combating corruption at the Federal and State levels should be complementary. This research critically examines the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2021 of Lagos State (the Lagos AC Law) in the light of the existing laws enacted by the National Assembly and the institutional framework these federal enactments established. Considering that the Lagos AC Law was enacted after over two decades of implementing the laws at the federal level it is expected that areas of challenge in the federal laws are not repeated in the Lagos AC Law. The methodology adopted for this research is doctrinal and the research finds that the Lagos AC Law is inadequate to combat corruption in Lagos State. In addition, this research finds that the law has not harmonised anti-corruption activities at both the federal and state levels in Nigeria. Finally, this research finds that the provisions for a strong and independent anti-corruption body are missing in the Lagos AC law and recommends that administrative centres be established across the LCDAs in the State for efficient coordination of the implementation of the law. Furthermore, it recommends the introduction of assessment mechanisms for implementation like the provisions UNCAC.