Abstract
Corruption which is an anti- social concept is the use of one’s position wherever located to earn underserved benefits for oneself or for others. Its effects are devastating to the growth of the individual, society and the country at large. Corruption as an aspect of crime is traceable to so many factors. According to bio-physiological theorists, there are born criminals who are known and could be identified by their physical features just like the psychological theorists contend that the character traits of the individual is responsible for his criminal activities. On the other hand, socio-cultural theorists contend that it is the surrounding circumstances in the environment of the individual that makes him to be involved in crime. Just as demonological theorists believe that the devil makes people to commit sin. The above theories have their usefulness in the understanding of the causes of corruption in the society. The socio-cultural theorists however appear to have most of the factors responsible for corruption in Nigeria such as the nature of our political economy, poverty, lack of essential amenities, fears of the unknown, wrong value system, attitude to public service job, unemployment, poor reward system and etc. The government in her bid to combat corruption has enacted some anti-corruption legislations such as the E.F.C.C and I.C.P.C Acts, the Criminal Code and introduced some palliatives that would help to avoid corruption for persons in the public and private sectors of the economy but the problem of corruption continues to be. This paper intends to critically look at the above issues and proffer solutions on how to eradicate or reduce corruption in Nigeria. Keywords: Corruption, crimes, origins, causes, panacea, strategies. DOI : 10.7176/JLPG/89-12 Publication date :September 30 th 2019
Highlights
Corruption is an anti-social behaviour which is predicated on the use of one’s official or unofficial position to gain some benefits inconsistent with one’s position and against the interest of other members of the society
The effect of corruption in Nigeria is unquantifiable because it has led to national stagnation in all spheres of national life, be it public or private sector
In the preceding part of this work, we have tried to explain the concept of corruption, its origin, theories of its causation and some anti-corruption measures that have been tried by various governments in Nigeria
Summary
We contend that if elections in Nigeria are not neatly organized and good men of honour are elected into government, there will be no end to corruption. If a bad man becomes Governor or President or Local Government Chairman, he will only appoint people like himself, and the circle of corruption will continue. This is because other political players, contractors, and public servants will all be bad people that ‘helped’ the president or governor to come to power. No free and fair elections, no end to corruption
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