The impact of whistle blowing policy and other anti-graft agencies in the fight against corruption in Nigeria: A psychological perspective

Abstract

The concept of nationhood envisages an inherent commitment and obligation of the state in the provision of basic social amenities, employment, healthcare and security among other basic infrastructures, which constitute the fundamental principles of state policy. However, this fundamental principles have often time being undermined by endemic corruption. The objective of this paper is to examine the concept of corruption, its causes and the measures to ameliorate and curb the menace, as well as the impact the anti-graft agencies have made in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Corruption has remained a major challenge to development in most developing countries. An analysis of the corruption perception index, a measure of perceived level of public sector corruption in countries around the world indicates that Nigeria, for example consistently occupied appalling positions in the list of most corrupt countries in the world between 2001 and 2012. The legal framework to fighting corruption has been less effective probably because it is evidence based. There is also the lack of political will to prosecute the war. One cannot but question the effectiveness, efficiency and rele vance of the Nigeria anti-corruption agencies such as Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). No country can develop in a situation of corruption, as it manifest in different forms ranging from recruitment, selection and placement, appointment into offices, contract awards, administration of justice, provision of health care and other services in the society. Corruption has led to the collapse of low quality buildings, road construction, fake and adulterated drugs that has led to the death of many in the society. It is in an attempt to checkmate this that the government has put in place, anti-graft agencies, the recent of which is the whistle blowing policy. But the question is to what extent have these anti-graft agencies impacted on the fight against corruption in Nigeria’s public service. It is the contention of this paper that, corruption should be fought holistically, with the right politically will, because it is a threat to national security and development. This is because corruption aggravates poverty, and insecurity in all its ramifications. The paper finally recommends among other measures like strengthening and reinvigorating the institutions charged with the responsibility of fighting corruption, attitude change and stiffer punishment for corruption related cases to serve as deterrent.