NCJ Number
207292
Journal
Journal of Financial Crime Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 69-87
Date Published
August 2004
Length
19 pages
Annotation
After examining various definitions of corruption, this paper presents an overview of corruption in Nigeria and efforts to combat it under a fledgling democratic government.
Abstract
In considering various definitions of corruption, the author notes there is no single, comprehensive, universally accepted definition of corruption as a concept. It is best to identify and describe specific conduct generally viewed as corrupt. Corrupt conduct typically includes bribery, embezzlement, theft and fraud, extortion, abuse of discretion, favoritism and nepotism, the exploitation of conflicting interests, and improper political donations. These conducts all pertain to crimes committed in the context of a public-service occupation or responsibility. This overview of corruption in Nigeria concludes that it has become a way of life under socioeconomic conditions that not only facilitate corruption but make it necessary for economic survival for even the most conscientious citizen. Military rule has been blamed for allowing corruption to grow unchecked. Such was the charge by President Olusegun Obasanjo at his inauguration as a civilian president on May 29, 1999. Identifying corruption as Nigeria's most pressing problem, he has vowed to fight it at every level. This paper outlines the various recent efforts to counter corruption through new laws and the establishment of new institutions and structures of control. Despite these reform efforts, however, the author concludes that corruption in Nigeria has not declined, and there is some evidence that it is occurring at high government levels. Examples are offered of cases of corruption that the government has failed to investigate and prosecute even though there is strong evidence. The author outlines the United Nations' framework for an anticorruption strategy that includes the following: an assessment of corruption levels, institution-building, situational prevention, social prevention, enforcement, monitoring and evaluation, and international cooperation. 81 references