ABSTRACT
The focus of this
study was to bring to light the impact of EFCC and ICPC on public service
accountability in Nigeria.
ICPC and EFCC are two anti-graft
agencies established in 2000 and 2004 respectively and charged with the responsibility
of restoring accountability in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s
international accountability rating has been on the decline and the extent to
which these two agencies have delivered on their mandates has remained a
subject of controversy. Against this backdrop, this study sought (i) To
determine the relationship between EFCC and ICPC and their role in achieving
accountability, (ii) to determine the relationship between government funding
and EFCC and ICPC activities. The study used questionnaire to gather data while
chi-square statistic was used to test hypothesis. The study found that there is
no significant relationship between EFCC and ICPC and their role in achieving
accountability; there is a significant relationship between government funding
and EFCC and ICPC activities. The study concluded that EFCC and ICPC need to do
more to achieve their mandate. It is recommended that EFCC and ICPC should be
given enabling environment in terms of autonomy, enabling laws and adequate
funding in order to perform.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
My first thanks goes to Almighty God for his guidance
and protection throughout my academic year in ESUT and at various stages in the
development of this project.
I will like to thank specifically my Project supervisor
Dr. Chike Nwoha and also my HOD Dr. Mrs.
Ifeoma Okwor, for their diligent criticism and intellectual help during the
research and development of this project. Also my gratitude goes to the
lecturers Dr. A. U. Nweze, Ven. Ubesie M. C., Chief Ikechukwu I. Okpe, P. B. C.
Nwabueze (F.C.N), Mr. M. C. Ekwe, Mr. Oliver Inyiama, Mr. Nze D. O. Nze, Mr.
Uche Ugwuanyi, Mr. Ifeanyi Nnado, Mrs. Anastasia Duru, Ven. Chinedum Elekwa,
Mrs. Virginia Onyeka, Mrs. Onyekwelu, Miss Caro Ozochi, Barr. Mrs. V. N.
Chukwuani, Mrs. E. Eze, Mrs. Ogbauta, Mrs. Obasi, Mrs. Grace Eje and Mrs.
Ugbonabo, and entire staff of the department of accountancy whose collective
effort and guidance has enable me to reach this level in my academic and intellectual
development in life and to my parents, my God-sent husband and family I say
thank you.
ABSTRACT
The focus of this
study was to bring to light the impact of EFCC and ICPC on public service
accountability in Nigeria.
EFCC and ICPC are two anti-graft agencies established in 2004 and 2000
respectively and charged with the responsibility of restoring accountability in
Nigeria.
Nigeria’s
international accountability rating has been on the decrease and the extent to
which these two agencies had delivered on their mandate had remained a subject
of controversy. On this backdrop, this study sought (i) To determine the
relationship between EFCC and ICPC and their role in achieving accountability,
(ii) to determine the relationship between government funding and EFCC and ICPC
activities. The study used questionnaire to gather data while chi-square
statistic was used to test hypothesis. The study found that there is no
significant relationship between EFCC and ICPC and their role in achieving
accountability; there is a significant relationship between government funding and
EFCC and ICPC activities. The study concluded that EFCC and ICPC need to do
more to achieve their mandate. It was recommended that EFCC and ICPC should be
given enabling environment in terms of autonomy, enabling laws and adequate
funding in order to perform.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Title
page
Certification
Approval page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table
of Contents
List of
table
List of
figures
Chapter One: INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background of
the study
1.2
Statement of the
problem
1.3
Objective of the
study
1.4
Research
Questions
1.5
Hypothesis
1.6
Significance of
the study
1.7
Scope and Limitation
of the study
1.8
Definition of
Terms
References
Chapter
Two: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1
The Independent
Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)
2.2
The Economic and
Financial Crimes commission (EFCC)
2.3
The public
Service
2.4
Accountability
2.5
Accountability
and Corruption
2.6
The ICPC and
public service Accountability
2.7
The EFCC and
Public Service Accountability
References
Chapter
Three: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
3.1
Research Design
3.2
Description of
Respondents
3.3
Sources of Data
3.4
Population and Determination
of Sample Size
3.5
Methods of
Investigation
Chapter
Four: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
4.1
Analysis of Data
4.2
Testing of
Hypothesis
Chapter
Five: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1
Summary of
Findings
5.2
Conclusions
5.3
Recommendations
Bibliography
Appendix
Chapter One
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background of the Study
In the global scene,
countries and nations where good governance subsist, persons and institutions in
such nations are known to exhibit high sense of accountability and
transparency, there is also observation
of rule of law, respect for human rights and a lot more. Among these features
accountability stands out as the hall mark of good governance. Ezeibe and
Iwuoha (2011:9) observed that accountability is the fundamental prerequisite
for preventing the abuse of power and for ensuring that power is directed
towards the achievement of efficiency, effectiveness, responsiveness and
transparency in the business of government.
In every economy, both the
public and the private sectors are saddled with the burden of accountability.
Public service accountability is made more significant because of the enormity
of responsibility which it (the public service) is charged with. Sokoya
(2000:2) opines that economic development in the developing nations has been
spear headed by the public services. To Suleimen (2009:3) the onus of
implementing policy decision and delivering services which have value to the
citizens lies squarely on the public sector.
Sometimes and in most cases (especially in the
third world countries such as Nigeria),
the issue of accountability remains an unsolved question. This brings to the
fore the birth or creation of institutions such as the economic and financial
crimes commission (EFCC) and the independent corrupt practices commission
(ICPC) in Nigeria.
It is evident that democratic governments and institutions are unable to solve
all the social, economic and political problems facing them as explained in the
self restraining theory of the political science discipline.
Nna and Jacob (2012:116)
explain that the self restraining theory is home grown machinery which is
directed on independent, non-elective specialized bodies of oversight. These
bodies are autonomous institutions of accountability that are supposed to be
free from the manipulations of powerful persons and the state.
In other words, these
institutions can boldly oversee the activities of persons and other (institutions
including those that created them) in the three tiers of government they are
expected to present an unbiased and unquestionable report card free from any
form of interference.
The Nigerian
government in order to ensure that the system is operating at it bests apart from
the regular institutions of the state; The judiciary, the legislature and the
executive, created some agencies such as INEC, NAFDAC, EFCC and ICPC etc. to
help maintain good governance and credible leadership.
It is on record that EFCC
and ICPC have existed for more than five (5) years but there are claims and
counter – claims as to what there two bodies have achieved. It is against this
back drop that this study is set out to investigate how the creation of EFCC
and ICPC has impacted on public service accountability in Nigeria. The findings of this study
will proffer suggestions on the way forward.
1.2
Statement of the Problem
There is a general opinion
that the public service has failed to achieve the purpose for which it was
established, many have also have opined that the public service is an epitome
of inefficiency, corruption and laziness, it also constitute a cog in the wheel
of implementation of government policies. Esu and Inyang noted that the
Nigerian nation has been beset with the problems of integrity, transparency and
accountability thus the EFCC and ICPC were establish to drive Nigeria quest for
transparency and accountability and well as overall good governance
Feature of good governance
include, accountability, transparency (openness), maintenance of rule of law,
non-violation of human rights etc. EFCC and ICPC are to fight social vices such
as corruption especially bribery, gratification, misuse of official privileges,
financial crimes such as advance fee fraud, money laundering etc. success in
the fight against these vices will no doubt improve our rating in the global
transparency index.
There are, however,
conflicting opinions among the public and researchers as to what EFCC and ICPC
have or have not achieved.
This study therefore intends
to investigate the influence EFCC and ICPC have had on public service
accountability; it will also investigate how the roles of the two bodies are
perceived and finally proper suggestions on how their performance can be
improved.
1.3
Objective of the Study
This study seeks to
investigate the impact of EFCC and ICPC on public service accountability. It
will pursue the following objectives.
1)
To determine the
public perception of the role of EFCC and ICPC in achieving public service
accountability;
2)
To highlight the
impact of government funding on the activities of EFCC and ICPC;
3)
To recommend
strategies on how EFCC and ICPC can better achieve these set objectives.
1.4
Research Questions
The objectives stated above
give rise to the following research questions which will guide data gathering.
1)
How does the
public perceive the role of EFCC and ICPC in achieving public service
accountability?
2)
What is the
impact of government funding on the activities of EFCC and ICPC.
1.5
Research Hypothesis
In line with the objectives
and research questions, the following research hypotheses are hereby
formulated.
Ho: There is no significant relationship between EFCC
and ICPC activities and public perception to their role in achieving
accountability.
H1: There is no significant relationship between
government funding and the activities of EFCC and ICPC.
1.6
Significance of the Study
This study is significant in the following
ways:
1)
The findings of
this study will reveal the way the public perceive the role of the two bodies.
This will enable government to evolve strategies to better strengthen or scrap
them as the case maybe.
2)
It will enable
both the EFCC and ICPC to find ways to improve upon their performance.
3)
It will enable
government to revisit the laws establishing them to ensure that their functions
are not duplicated.
1.7
Scope and Limitations of the Study
In terms of scope, the
variable/element studied which is accountability is seen as an attribute of
good governance. Other attribute such as integrity, openness, rule of law, respect
for human rights etc were not studied. The organization for case study is
ministry of finance Enugu
State. The time period is
2012. For limitations, finance was the major factor. Sourcing for information
from the internet, correcting and typing the work severally consumed reasonable
fund. Sometimes, respondents were not willing to cooperate in answering
questionnaire.
However, these constraints
were overcome and the research was successfully concluded.
1.8
Definition of Terms
Human
rights: These are fundamental rights
available to every citizens as adopted by the United Nations. They include;
right to life, right to freedom of worship, right to freedom of association
etc.
Graft: Money obtained through illegal or unfair means in
business, politics etc.
Gratification: Feeling of
pleasure because ones desires are satisfied. Used in a negative sense
especially in relation to corrupt practices.
Openness: Willingness to allow public to view or be part of
activities and actions.
Transparency: A situation
characterized by ability to disclose facts, allowing access to information,
absence of unwarranted secrecy, readiness to face legal scrutiny etc.
Rule of
Law: A situation whereby the law is seen as supreme.
Government and persons alike accept and abide by what the law says.
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