An Assessment of EFCC Anti-Corruption Agency in Nigeria, 2015- 2025
OSAZUWA, Joseph A
Abstract
The purpose of this research work on corruption control in Nigeria is to critically analyze the activities of the anti-graft agency (EFCC) in the fight and control against corruption in Nigeria between 2015-2018. In order to do this, the qualitative descriptive method was used, the secondary source generated the data. To analyse the secondary data collected to undertake this study, content analysis was adopted. The study also embraced a structural-functionalism theory which Talcott Parson postulated in the 1930s. It was found that the EFCC is an instrument of each successive regime to persecute their perceived rivals. Hence, the work suggested the following; (i) government must ensure that there is no avenue to abuse offices. ii) Over centralisation of power in Nigeria system of governance should not occur. (ili) Public and private organisation officers should be paid (salaries and allowances) as at when due. (iv) This should be done in frantic endeavor to alter the value orientation of both the many public and private officers whose value placement is on self-achievement rather than patriotism.
Keywords
Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)
Corruption
anti-graft agency
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analysis. International Journal of Law and Politics, 22(4), 98-112.
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Nigeria. International Journal of Political Economy, 46(2), 121-140.
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Political Science Review, 19(1), 14-29.
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Nigeria 2002-2015. A Dissertation. Post Graduate School, Benue State University,
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Publishers.
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of Attorney General of Abuja. 11th - 13th October.
Agenyi, E. and Ameh, I.E. (2009). Corruption in some public sectors: Implications for sustainable
socio-economic development in Nigeria. NASHER. J. 7: 128-134.
Ajayi, K. (2018). Economic factors and corruption in Nigeria: An analytical overview. African
Journal of Political Economy, 7(1), 25-38.
Akani, C. (2001). Corruption in Nigeria: The Niger Delta experience. Enugu. Fourth dimension
Publishing Co. Ltd.
Akani, C. (2015). Nigeria and its challenges. Port Harcourt. Paragraphics.an imprint of Jeson
Services.
Ake, C. (2002). Political economy of Africa. Lagos. Longman Nigeria.
Akintoye, A. (2016). Poverty and corruption in Nigeria: The socio-economic connection. Journal
of Development Studies, 33(2), 82-95.
Akinyemi, O. (2015). Corruption and governance in Nigeria: The role of political leadership.
University Press.
Aluko, F. A. (2019). Prosecution and Convictions by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC): Lessons from Past Successes. African Journal of Governance, 8(1),
56-67.
Aluko, Y. (2009). Corruption in Nigeria: Concept and dimensions. In Ekweremadu, D.U., Okafor,
E.E. (2009). Anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria since 1999: issues, challenges and the way
forward. IFRA Special Research Issue, 3.
Austin, Z. (2014). Qualitative Research: Getting Started. Can J Hosp Pharm. 2014 Nov- Dec;
67(6): 436-440. doi: 10.4212/jhp.v6716.1406.z
Ayuba, I. (2021). EFCC: Prosecution, Conviction, and the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria.
Nigerian Journal of Criminology, 15(2), 75-89.
Bayart, J.F., Ellis, S., Hibou, B. (1997). The criminalization of the state in Africa, Oxford: James
Currey Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999). Lagos: Federal Government
Press.
Bieenu-Nnabgwe (2006).Quoted in Osazuwa in 2013 titled corruption curbing and control in
Nigeria: Unpublished.
Chigbo, M. (2010) Corruption: The dream that crashed, Newswatch magazine, October, 4. Dike,
V. (2008). Corruption control: A new paradigm for effective control in Nigeria, Nigeria
World, Nigeria.
Dike, V.E. (2005). Corruption in Nigeria: a new paradigm for effective control, Africa Economic
Analysis, http://www.africaeconomicanalysis. org/articles/gen/ corruptiondikehtm.html,
(accessed January 23, 2020).
EFCC (2019). EFCC boss Magu avoids question on Tinubu"s Bullion Van.. Pulse.ng, November
1%. EFCC Establishments Act 2004.
EFCC. (2019). EFCC arrested 27 Yahoo boys in Lagos hostel raid. Pulse.ng, December 5th.
Egdardo (2007). Implication of economic and financial economy. Paper presented at the
workshop on the effect on the Nigerian Economy, FCT, Abuja.
Eme, O. I., Ugwu, C. C., Onuigbo, R..A., Okeke, M. 2017). Political exposed persons and Buhari's
anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria. Science Arena Publications Specialty Journal of Politics
and Law, 2(1), 76-90
Emenyeonu, C.A. (2015). Corruption in Government institutions, corruption perception index.
Retrieved on 8/10/2020, from: www. Research sate.ret.
Falana, F. (2018). The role of whistle-blowers in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Retrieved
from www.africmil.org/the-role-ofwhistle-blowers-in-the-fight-against- corruption-in-
nigeria/. Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundry (FATF) Report.
Guardian. (2025, February 4). Court acquits Fani-Kayode of forgery charges. Guardian.
https://guardian.ng/news/court-acquits-fani-kayode-of-forgery/?utm_
Ibrahim, J. (2017). The legal framework and the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Journal of
Law and Public Policy, 12(3), 67-80.
Ijewereme, O. B. (2015). Anatomy of corruption in the Nigerian public sector. SAGE Open, 5.
https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244015581188
Imam, B. (2005). The war against corruption Nigeria: Problems and Prospects. Ibadan. College
Press and Publishers Ltd.
Kalagbor, B.S. (2004). Political science and public administration. Port Harcourt: Concise
Concepts.
Moyosore, S. O. (2015). Corruption in Nigeria: Causes, effects and probable solutions. Corruption
and Development in Nigeria. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003178637-19
Nmah, P. (2017). Corruption in Nigeria: A culture or retrogressive factor? OGIRISI: A New
Journal of African Studies, 13, 116-131. https://doi.org/10.4314/OG.V13I1.6
Nwachukwu, P. (2018). Anti-corruption strategies in Nigeria: A critical review of implementation
challenges. International Journal of Politics and Policy Studies, 5(4), 89-102.
Nwagwu, E.J. (2012). An appraisal of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and
the war against corruption in Nigeria (1999-2007).Intl. J. Res. Arts Social Sci., 3:1-10.
Nwankwo, O. (2014). Impact of corruption on economic growth in Nigeria. Mediterranean Journal
of Social Sciences, 5(6), 41-49. https://doi.org/10.5901/MJSS.2014.V5N6P41 Obasi, M.,
&
Nwaobi, G.C. (2006). Corruption and bribery in the Nigerian economy: An empirical
investigation. Quantitative Economic research Bureau. Abuja, Nigeria.
Nwoba, M., & Monday, N. P. (2018). Appraisal of economic and financial crimes commission
(EFCC) in the fight against corruption in Nigeria (2007-2017). The Social Sciences, 13(1),
94-104.
Nwosu, C. (2004). Implication of economic and financial crimes on the nation's economy. Paper
presented at the Workshop on the effect of the Nigerian Economy, FCT, Abuja.
Nwosumba, V.C. (2016). Appraisal of the economic and financial crimes commission in the light
of the disaster of the Nigerian anti-corruption politics.IOSR. J. Humanities Social Sci., 21:
43-55.
Nye, J.S. (1967). Corruption and political development: A cost-benefit analysis. Am. Political Sci.
Rev., 61:417-127.
Nzejekwu, I. A. (2011). The contributions of EFCC in promoting financial accountability and
transparency in Nigeria. Masters Thesis. Department of Accounting, University of
Nigeria, Enugu.
Nzemeke, S. & Erhagbe, G. (2002). A fight against corrupt practices in Nigeria.Lagos:Law Lords
Publishers.
Obuah, E. E. (2010). Combatting corruption in Nigeria: The Nigerian Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC). Journal of Contemporary Politics and Policy, 2(1), 12-34.
https://doi.org/10.3389/21302
Ogundiya, I. S. (2009). Political corruption in Nigeria: Theoretical perspectives and some
explanations.
The
Anthropologist,
11,
281-292.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09720073.2009.11891117
Ogunrotifa, A. (2015). Corruption as a cultural problem in Nigerian governance. African Journal
of Governance, 21(2), 56-71.
Okeke, G.C. (2003). The anti-corruption law of the Obasanjo Regime: A critical assessment. In:
Public Accountability in Nigeria: Perspectives and Issues, Ezeani, E.O. (Ed). Academic
Publishing Company, Enugu, Nigeria, p. 1-9.
Okoosi-Simbine, A. T. (1993). Corruption in Nigeria: A historical perspective. Review of African
Political Economy, 23, 371-386. https://doi.org/10.1080/03056249608704203
Okoye, A. D. (2020). The role of the EFCC in fighting corruption in Nigeria: A retrospective
analysis. International Journal of Law and Politics, 22(4), 98-112.
Olakami, O. (2004). Criminal code and the EFCC. Lagos: Law Lords Publishers.
Olukotun, A., & Ajayi, A. (2017). Corruption, the EFCC, and the politics of anti-corruption in
Nigeria. International Journal of Political Economy, 46(2), 121-140.
Onah, F. (2014). Political instability and corruption in Nigeria: A historical perspective. Nigerian
Political Science Review, 19(1), 14-29.
Orokpo, F. O. (2017). An appraisal of the economic and financial crimes commission (EFCC) in
Nigeria 2002-2015. A Dissertation. Post Graduate School, Benue State University,
Makurdi.
