1. An Empirical Study of the Consequences of Inter-Agency Relations in Anti-Corruption Efforts in Nigeria.
- Author
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Awopeju, Ayo
- Subjects
CRIMINAL justice system ,LAW reform ,COMMERCIAL crimes ,ECONOMIC crime ,CRIMINAL procedure ,POLITICAL corruption ,POLICE-community relations - Abstract
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has faced enormous challenges in handling corruption. Consequently, the government set up specialised anti-corruption agencies to combat corruption and financial related crimes. While studies have examined the operational challenges of these specialised agencies, the interaction between the NPF and the specialised agencies and its consequences have received little scholarly attention. This study examines the interface between the NPF and the anti-corruption agencies (the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) vis-à-vis the consequences from their inter-agency relations in Nigeria. Using Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), primary data were obtained from eighteen (18) purposively selected officials of ICPC, EFCC, NPF and scholars working on policing and anticorruption agencies. Secondary data were obtained from textbooks, journals, Administration of Criminal Justice and Criminal Procedure Acts. Data were subjected to thematic and content analysis. Findings revealed that the anticorruption agencies share policing powers of detection, investigation, search, summon, arrest, prosecution, detention, bail and seizure of property while combating financial crimes and corruption. The consequences of exercising policing powers by the anti-corruption agencies include local conflicts, mutual suspicion, domination, competition, inefficiency, confusion and overlapping functions which have negative implications on combating corruption and financial related crimes. The study concludes that the sharing of policing powers between the NPF and the anti-corruption agencies led to the weakening of anti-corruption agencies' power in combating financial crimes and corruption in Nigeria. Therefore, government should reform the legal framework to strengthen the operations of anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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