THE WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF ECONOMIC

FINANCIAL AND CRIME COMMISSION (EFCC)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study

The word “corrupt” when used as an adjective literally means “utterly broken”. It was first used

by Aristotle and later Cicero who added the terms bribe and abandonment of good habit.

Corruption is a form of dishonest and unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a position of

authority, often to acquire personal benefit. (Wikipedia; 2015). In an attempt to distinguish

between ‘corrupt act’ and ‘corruption’, Amundsen (1999) summits that “corruption is when

individuals misuse the public power they are bestowed with for private benefit” while corrupt act

occurs “when a responsible person accepts money or some other forms of reward, and then

proceed to misuse his official power by returning undue favours”. Nye defines corruption as a

behaviour which deviates from the normal duties of a public role because of private relationship.

This includes such behaviour as bribery (which is the use of reward to pervert the judgment of

the person in position of trust); nepotism (bestowal of patronage by reasons of inscriptive

relationship than merit); and misappropriation (illegal appropriation of public resources for

private – regarding uses (Nye cited in Onuigbo & Eme, 2015). Khan sees corruption as an act

which deviates from the rules of conduct governing the action of someone in a position of public

authority because of private regarding motives such as wealth, power and status (Khan cited in

Amundsen, 1996). Corruption could also be conceived as pervasion of integrity or state of affairs

through bribery, favour or depravity (Otite, 2000). In a more holistic conceptualization, the

International Monitory Fund (IMF) vignettes corruption as an abuse of office or trust for private

benefit: and is a temptation indulged in by not only public officials but also by those in positions
of trust and authority in private enterprise or non-profit organizations (IMF, 1998). Transparency

International observes corruption to be the use of entrusted power for private gain; and is

classified as either grand, petty and political depending on the amount of money lost and the

sector where it occurs. Grand corruption – consists of acts committed at a high level of

government that distorts polity or the central functioning of the state enabling leaders to benefit

at the expense of the public good; Petty corruption refers to everyday abuse of entrusted power

by low and mid-level public officials in their interactions with ordinary citizens; Political

corruption – involves manipulation of policies, institution and rules of procedures in the

allocation of resources and financing by political decision makers who abuse their position to

sustain their power, status and wealth (Transparency International, 2015 ). Lawal (2012)

identifies types of corruption to include: Moral corruption exhibited in sexual pervasiveness,

greed especially in interpersonal relationship, loose tongue, indecent dressing, etc; Economic

corruption example include manufacturing fake drugs, adulteration of drinks, piracy, plagiarism,

fraud at all levels, etc; Political and bureaucratic corruption includes illegal, unethical and

unauthorized exploitation of one’s political or official position for personal gain; Electoral

corruption has to do with electoral frauds such as election rigging, manipulations, ballot stuffing,

registration of underage, etc (Lawal, 2012). Corruption includes bribery, smuggling, fraud,

illegal payment, money laundering, drug trafficking, falsification of documents and records,

window dressing, false declaration, evasion, underpayment, deceit, forgery, concealment, aiding

and abetting of any kind to the detriment of another person, community, society or nation

(Mathew et. al., 2013). The arguments and definitions by the authors affirm that corruption

manifests for personal gratification, self-preservation and glory at the expense of general

political and economic growth of a particular state, an organization or any establishment.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

It is generally agreed that corruption is an evil wind that affect everyone and retard societal

progress. While there are several theories that explain its prevalence in society, the point to

emphasize is that it has become a way of life in Nigeria. This explains why it has been difficult

to combat its rising profile. In spite of the fact that the country, boast of one of the most

resourceful citizenry and natural endowment in the world, these potentials have often been

frittered away through corruption and mismanagement. Olugbade (1992) quoting Diamond

argued that the Nigerian state “can command and expend vast resources, but it cannot get things

done. Thus, the state has become the primary means for the accumulation of personal wealth”. It

has been argued that the“ politics of competition over allocation of resources, or what in Nigeria

is called „the national cake‟, has its most dire consequences in the transformation of offices of

the state into prebends” (Joseph, 1987).However, successive governments in Nigeria have made

concerted efforts to address the issue of corruption. But their antidotes, where applied, have often

fallen short of the required impact to turn the state of corruption around for good (Akhakpe,

2014). It would appear that the nature of the Nigerian society makes corruption a persistent and

lucrative business. For examples, during the colonial administration, stealing from the

government was celebrated. Yet, years of military autocratic regimes made accountability by

public officers difficult if not impossible. The effect of this development is a cynosure of all

eyes; virtually all sectors of the economy are at varying degree of decay.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the study is to examine war against corruption in Nigeria. Specifically,

other objcetives are to:

 i. Find out the instrument/machineries EFCC have employed in the fight against

corruption in Nigeria.

ii. Identify the achievements EFCC has made in the fight of corruption in Nigeria

iii. Find out the problems/obstacles EFCC have encountered in the fight against
corruption.

iv. Suggest further measures needed to be taken to overcome the obstacles in the fight
against corruption.

v. Ascertain if the EFCC has succeeded or failed in its quest to wipe out corruption in

Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

i. What are the instrument/machineries EFCC have employed in the fight against

corruption in Nigeria?

ii. What are the achievements EFCC has made in the fight of corruption in Nigeria?

iii. What is the problems/obstacles EFCC have encountered in the fight against
corruption?

iv. What measures needed to be taken to overcome the obstacles in the fight against
corruption?

v. Has EFCC succeeded or failed in its quest to wipe out corruption in Nigeria?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this topic

and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their work. This study contributes to

knowledge and could serve as a bench mark or guide for other work or study.

1.6 Scope/Limitations of the Study

This study on the fight against corruption is set to know the causes of corruption in Nigeria today

with a view of finding a lasting solution to the problem. Limitations of study 1. Financial

constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the

relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet,

questionnaire and interview). 2. Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in

this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for

the research work.

1.7 Definition of Terms

Corruption: Corruption is a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a

position of authority, often to acquire personal benefit. Corruption may include many activities

including bribery and embezzlement, though it may also involve practices that are legal in many

countries.

Fight: To attempt to harm or gain power over an adversary by blows or with weapons.