EFFECTS OF THE NIGERIAN LEGAL SYSTEM ON CORRUPTION

EFFECTS OF THE NIGERIAN LEGAL SYSTEM ON CORRUPTION.

Corruption in Nigeria is as old as the country itself.It has now become part and parcel of the country itself.Hardly can we see any sector or division in the country that is free of corruption.Lecturers sleep with their students in exchange for excellent grades.Employers demand for financial or sexual gratification in exchange for employments.Even in the educational sector, students now believe that it is impossible for them to pass without engaging in examination malpractices.As a matter of fact, admission seekers now believe it is a normal and customary practice for them to gain admission into higher institutions of learning without greasing the palms of the admission officer or any lecturer in a high position.

On a daily basis, we hear various crazy and disheartening stories like:Money meant for purchase of arms and ammunitions suddenly disappearing, “spiritual snake” swallowing huge amounts of money, apes carting away huge amounts of money from a senator’s farm(What was the money doing in the farm in the first place?),and lots more.

The various loopholes and lacunas in the Nigerian legal system, coupled with a lack of stiffer penalties for offenders have led to the country fighting a loose battle.We need to ask ourselves this important question:”of all the corruption cases reported on a daily basis, how many of them actually go beyond the courtroom?”.The cases of Sambo Dasuki, Tafa Balogun, James Ibori, e.t.c remain fresh in the memory.

The Nigerian judiciary is also not helping matters as most corrupt public officers believe that all they need to cover up their corrupt acts is to bribe the relevant judicial officers, thus rendering courtroom litigation a mere formality.The effect of this is that politicians and public officers have devised a means of getting around the various lacunas in our legal system.Hence, legislations governing corruption in the country like the E.F.C.C act, I.C.P.C act, money laundering act, and others have been reduced to mere “toothless bulldogs”.Corruption can occur in various forms like:

A)Bribery:Bribery can be in form of payment taken or given in a corrupt relationship.It could be in form of kickbacks, greasing palms, sweetners, e.t.c.

B)Fraud:It involves some kind of trikery, swindle, deceit, e.t.c.

C)Embezzlement:This is theft of public resources by public officers.It is when a public official steals from the public institution in which he/she is employed.

D)Extortion:This is money and other resources extracted by the use of coercion,violents or use of force.

E)Favouritism:This is a mechanism of power abuse implying a highly biased distribution of state resources.

Causes of corruption

1) The weakness of social and governmental enforcement mechanisms.

2) Conflict between changing moral codes.

3) Seeing political office as the means of enriching one’s self.

4) Unequal distribution of wealth and resources.

In conclusion, it is my suggestion that the various loopholes in our legislations should be ammended.Stiffer penalties should also be provided as a way of deterring potential offenders