The struggle against Corruption in Nigeria: the Role of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (ICPC) under the Fourth Republic

On September 29th, 2000, President Olusegun Obasanjo inaugurated an anti-graft body christened The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to spearhead its declared war against corruption. However, this renewed attempt to stern the tide of corruption in Nigeria is turned out to be another phase in the country’s perennial war against corruption. After three years, the commission became enmeshed in controversies even as its efforts become overshadowed by endless trail of scandais and allegations of corruption that hit some key political leaders and institutions, most of who are presumed to have failed to live above board. Yet, not a single top official has been convicted, notwithstanding its awesome powers. ICPC’s failure to secure the conviction of corrupt officials derives from limited political will, inadequate structures (personnel, finance, etc.), internai contradictions, the country’s inefficient judiciary and laws and more importantly the rent seeking behaviour of the political class

IFRA Special Research Issue Vol. 2

The French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA), Ibadan, a foundation of the French government, is a non-profit institute set up to promote research in the social sciences and humanities, as well as enhance collaborative work between scholars in France and West Africa. It was established in 1990 and operates from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where it is housed by the Institute of African Studies. IFRA mandate includes subsiding research programs, granting research allowances to academies and scholars, publishing research results, and holding workshops, seminars and symposia. Over the past few years, the research orientation of IFRA Ibadan has revolved around problems of democratic transition, urban violence and security, and religious networks in West Africa. The Institute also runs a library and publishes a Newsletter