CONSTITUTIONAL AND THE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS AS THE INSTRUMENTS FOR COMBATING CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the constitutional and institutional framework for anti-corruption crusade in the various public service sectors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It highlighted the major issues and challenges bedeviling the nation from the angle of corrupt practices, in Nigeria. The constant interference in the roles of these anti-corruption agencies which more often than not undermine the capacity and capability of carrying out their statutory functions independently is another factor that militates against the effective and efficient performance of some of these anti-corruption agencies. Likewise lack of fund also is another factor that hinders the agencies involved here in performing their assigned statutory roles as required under the law. In-spite of all the efforts to curb corruption in the nation, Nigeria is still way behind in achieving this objective as corruption which is a menace to any nation is still lingering in the nation, thus causing great mere herm to various essential sectors of the economy of the country. On the side of the agencies in-charge of combating corruption, they leave much to be desired in that regard because corruption keeps eating deep into the fabrics of the nation. Regrettably, it seems that little or nothing can stop it. This work recommended that adequate funding of the various anti-corruption institutions, citizens active participation in the political processes of the nations and the independence of these institutions in carrying out their statutorily slated assignment in combating corruption without interference with one another will go a long way in curbing the menace in our nation.