Abstract
Widespread corruption in the Nigerian public service is having a far-reaching detrimental effect on the economy. Public officers and other policy makers that formulate socio-economic policies are the main perpetrators of corruption in Nigeria. This article focusses on the viability of lifestyle audits for public officials as a strategy for combating such corruption, the proceeds of which are usually laundered and warehoused either offshore or in Nigeria with the assistance of professionals such as bankers and lawyers. If such warehoused wealth is discovered it is usually forfeited to the treasury of the government of Nigeria, after the trial of the offenders. This article interrogates the adequacy of the relevant legislation and the efficacy of the statutory bodies responsible for lifestyle audits in Nigeria, such as the Code of Conduct Bureau, which is discussed, as are the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 2010, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004, and the income tax reporting framework administered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service. It appears that the provisions relating to lifestyle audits under the Nigerian statutes are not robust enough to curb corruption and tax evasion. In addition, the enforcement of such lifestyle audits is hindered by the immunity granted to certain Nigerian public officers and jurisdictional conflicts in prosecuting corruption cases.
Highlights
This article interrogates the adequacy of the relevant legislation and the efficacy of the statutory bodies responsible for lifestyle audits in Nigeria, such as the Code of Conduct Bureau, which is discussed, as are the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 2010, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004, and the income tax reporting framework administered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service
Conducting lifestyle audits of public officials is acknowledged as a measure that could aid in promoting accountability, transparency and integrity in the conduct of government officials and public officials in Nigeria.[140]
This article has analysed the adequacy of the relevant lifestyle audits laws and their enforcement to curb corruption and tax evasion in Nigeria
Summary
The high levels of corruption in the Nigerian public service have created numerous socio-economic and political challenges in the society and economy. Successive civilian governments since 1999 have formulated and implemented policies and legislation aimed at curbing corruption. Notwithstanding such efforts, corruption is commonplace.[2] Nigeria ranked 130th out of 180 countries, with 26 per cent on the corruption index perspective in 2019.3 Corruption is undoubtedly the most pressing governance and development challenge that Nigeria is confronted with today because it fraudulently transfers public goods and services into private pockets. 3 Transparency International 2020 https://www.transparency.org/files/content/ pages/2019_CPI_Report_EN.pdf 3.
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