| dc.description.abstract | Corruption is one of the greatest challenges that Nigeria faces as it impacts on the development of the country. Despite the enormous powers of the National Assembly to combat corruption, corruption has persisted in Nigeria. This research investigated the performance of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes in combating corruption. The objectives of the study were to assess the role of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes in combating corruption as well as to examine the performance of the National Assembly in combating corruption, among others.
This study adopted a qualitative approach with a descriptive research design. Data for the study were generated from oral interviews with 11 respondents who were purposively selected from the Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, Civil Society Organisations (particularly, CISLAC, YIAGA and SERAP); and Anti-corruption agencies (ICPC and EFCC). The generated were analysed using thematic content analysis.
For objective one, it was found that the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes makes laws to establish and regulate anti-corruption agencies as well as conduct oversight of these agencies. For objective two, the study found that the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes has performed well in its role in combating corruption in the number of bills passed and oversight conducted. For the third objective, the study found that there is no relationship between the laws passed and the performance of Nigeria on the Corruption perception index. For the fourth objective, the study found that the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes needs to show political courage in combating corruption as well as improve independent funding for anti-graft agencies.
The recommendations of the study were presented, according to the objective of the study. For objective one, the study recommended that the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes should be more rigorous in overseeing anticorruption agencies to ensure effectiveness in the fight corruption. For objective two the study recommended that adequate funding should be provided for the Committee for oversight and legislative activities to ensure that committees do not depend on anticorruption agencies to fund their activities. For the objective three, study recommended that the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes may recommend an amendment to the EFCC and ICPC Acts to ensure that both agencies exchange vital data and intelligence report. That improved and independent Also, the legislators should expedite action in passing the special crimes courts bill and other anticorruption related bills to facilitate the speedy trials of offences including economic and financial crimes, money laundry, corruption offences and related matters. For objective four, the study recommended that there is a need for the legislators to show political courage in fighting corruption. Also, the study recommended that improved and independent funding for anti-graft agencies, repeal of the immunity provision in the 1999 constitution by the legislature, and vigorous enlightenment campaign, as strategies that will mitigate the challenges confronting the fight against corruption in Nigeria | en_US |
