ANTI GRAFT WAR AND THE NIGERIA'S CORRUPTION CRISIS

ABSTRACTOne of the critical challenges facing the entire globe is the menace of corruption. Itsprevalence spares polity in both developed and developing societies although at varyinglevel and magnitude. In Nigeria, just like other Sub-Saharan African states, it has becomea great issue of concern. As a response to the perceived alarming rate of suchphenomenon, the Nigerian state had at various times come up with policies andprogrammesaimed at curtailing it. Among these are the EFCC and ICPC. This paperexamines whetherthe anti-graft war of EFCC and ICPCcurtailed the corruptioncrisis inNigeria. Data for the study were derived largely from secondary source with contentanalysis as the main analysis technique; however, interviews were conducted to someenlightened members of public to complement the secondary data. The study found thatthe failure of Anti Corruption Agencies (ACAs) to effectively curtail corruption was duetolow autonomy, ineffective punishment and low commitment on the part of personnel. Itwas recommended that ACAs should be fully autonomous; their staff be more committed;and punishments be reviewed and made more severe.