A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ANTI-CORRUPTION POLICY OF THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF NIGERIA

What is it about?

This Article offers a critical analysis of the new anti-corruption policy of the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria. The paper will provide recommendations on how the policy could be strengthened. This is the only article to adopt this kind of approach.

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Why is it important?

On 29 May, 2015, General Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as president of Nigeria. He vowed to fight corruption during his campaign, which had remained rampant under his predecessor Goodluck Jonathan. Six months after taking office, Buhari’s administration arrested Sambo Dasuki, the former national security adviser for financial misappropriation of about two billion dollars earmarked for military equipment amid the Boko Haram insurgency. Military chiefs have also been questioned and, in some cases, detained over similar charges. Buhari’s administration has also introduced a number of policy measures to combat corruption in Nigeria. For instance, on the 21st day of December 2016, the Federal Executive Council approved the Ministry of Finance Whistleblowing Programme that may see individuals, who voluntarily volunteers credible information on stolen or concealed funds, smiling home with between 2.5 per cent and five per cent of the funds when recovered. The primary purpose of the Policy is to support the fight against financial crimes and corruption, promote accountability and enhance transparency in the management of public finances. Other policies introduced by the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria include: Treasury Single Account Policy, Plea Bargaining and Federal Government’s Surveillance Programme. This paper critically examines the anti-corruption policy of the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria, to determine whether the policy is working and/or has produced unintended effects. The Federal Executive Council is the body comprising all the Ministers of the Federation, including the President and Vice President; it goes without saying therefore that any directive issued by a Minister is sequel to one issued on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Section 148 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) gives credence to the legality of the Federal Executive Council by making all Ministers as members of the Federal Executive Council. The analysis will be done under the following headings: Treasury Single Account, Plea Bargaining, Federal Government’s Surveillance Programme and Whistleblower Policy.