TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page…………………………………………………..…ii
Certification…………………………………………………….…iii
Dedication…………………………………………………………iv
Acknowledgement………………………………………………..v
Table
of contents…………………………………………….….vii
Abstract……………………………………………………………xi
CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the
Study…………………………..1
1.2 Statement of Research
Problem………………….4
1.3 Objectives of the
Study……………………………..6
1.4 Statement of
Hypothesis……………………………7
1.5 Scope of the
Study…………………………………..8
1.6 Significance of the
Study…………………………..8
1.7 Limitation of the
Study……………………………10
1.8 Historical background of
the Organization…..11
1.9 Definition of
Terms…………………………………14
References…………………………………………………..18
CHAPTER TWO:
INTRODUCTION; LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Definition of corruption
and economic
Crimes………………………………………………..20
2.2 History/Trend of
corruption and economic
crimes in Nigeria……………………………………24
2.3 Types of economic
crimes………………………..26
2.4 Types of
corruption………………………………..33
2.5 The causes of corruption
and
economic crimes……………………………………37
2.6 Consequences of corruption
and
economic crimes in the public sectors………..39
2.7 The effects of corruption
and
economic crimes……………………………………40
2.8 Social-political and
economic reforms…………42
2.9 Methods of tackling
corruption and economic crimes…………………………………………………46
2.10 Due process as a mechanism
to curb corruption in the Nigeria public sector………………………48
References…………………………………………………..53
CHAPTER THREE: INTRODUCTION
3.1 Research
methodology…………………………….56
3.2 Research
design…………………………………….56
3.3 Data
collection………………………………………57
3.4 Method of data
analysis…………………………..59
3.5 Method of data
presentation…………………….59
3.6 Population of
study………………………………..60
3.7 Coding
procedure………………………………….60
3.8 Reliability of
data…………………………………..65
References…………………………………………………..66
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Introduction……………………………………….67
4.2 Presentation of
data…………………………….68
4.3 Data analysis
procedure……………………….68
4.4 Statistical testing of
hypothesis………………85
References………………………………………………..90
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY,
RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Findings……………………………………………..91
5.2 Recommendation………………………………….93
5.3 Conclusion………………………………………….99
Bibliography………………………………………………102
Appendix…………………………………………………..105
ABSTRACT
This
study focus on corruption and economic crimes in the public sector with a
particular reference to ministry of finance, Lagos state. The study identified
the major causes of corruption and economic crimes and these were numerous
ranging from bad government to societal values in public.
In the course of the study, it was discovered that
checks and balances in ministry result to the effectiveness and utilization of
public funds.
Having
made the analysis, recommendations are proffered as to the measures the
government, law enforcement agencies, ministry and the public will adopt in
fighting the menace.
The
entire work is divided into five chapters. In chapter one, an introduction to
the study was made. A review of literature was carried out in chapter two
research methodology, data presentation and Analysis and summary of findings,
recommendation and conclusion were made in chapter 3,4, and 5 respectively.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
OF THE STUDY
Economic
crimes has been described as the manifestation of a criminal act done either
solely or in an organized manner with or without associates or groups, with an
intent to earn wealth through illegal means, carrying out of illicit activities
which violate the laws of the land and other regulating statutory provisions
governing the economic activities of the government and its administration. It
can erode the confidence in the system of a country; threaten the integrity of
government, its programmes and institutions, thereby undermining national
security, law and order. On the whole, the overwhelming presence of economic
crimes can make such a country unattractive to investors (Okolie 2006).
Irrespective
of the sophistication of the methods adopted by criminals, the common
characteristics of the crime include cheating, lying and stealing. Corruption
is a menace in the public sector, although is a global malaise, the extent of
its reach in the public sector was tragically stupendous. All indicators showed
that the spread of this cancer had become frightening.
The
menace of corruption leads to slow movement of files in offices, police
extortion at tollgates and slow traffics on the highways, port congestion,
queues at passport offices and gas stations, ghost workers syndrome, election
irregularities, among others. Even the mad people on the street recognize the
havoc caused by corruption – the funds allocated for their welfare disappear
into the thin air.
Corruption
is endemic in all governments, and that it is not peculiar to any continent,
region and ethnic group. Corruption is found in democratic and dictatorial
politics; feudal, capitalist and socialist economies. Corruption practices did not begin today; the
history is as old as the world. Ancient civilizations have traces of widespread
illegality and corruption. (Lipset and Lenz 2000).
The
price of corruption has been extremely high. The economic, political, social
and moral bases of the country have been severely eroded and degraded. It has
brought us near the brink and almost rendered us helpless and hopeless. It
became imperative that something drastic had to be done to arrest the rot. This
impelled the commitment of the president to tackle corruption head – on. (ICPC
ACT 2000).
1.2 STATEMENT
OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
Due to
government insincerity in fighting corruption and economic crimes in the public
sector, civil servants in the ministry of finance take advantage of looting the
treasury. The civil servants perpetrate these act because they are connected to
the top government functionary and thereby they were spared from been punished.
Interference
in the duties of the anti – graft agencies such as independent and corrupt
practices commission and economic financial crimes commission in combating the
scourge. The anti – graft agencies are been used to witch – hunt any civil
servants that do not dance to their tune by the government in power. The
independence of the anti – graft agencies to punish corrupt civil servants in
the ministry has been distorted.
Inefficiency
and underutilization of public funds surface as a result of corruption and
economic crimes. Due to corruption and economic crimes in the public sector,
the ministry have not be able to perform efficiently and proper utilization of
the resources that have been assigned to their ministry.
Collusion
by officials in the public sector with foreigners to perpetrate corruption and
found safe refuge and acceptance abroad. The officials in the public sector
have engaged in this act now. This has caused the resources provided to the
public sector to be mis – spent and misplaced.
1.3 OBJECTIVES
OF THE STUDY
Corruption
and economic crimes have hitherto hindered the efficiency and growth of the
public sector in rendering their services. It is in this stead, the study is
aimed at:
(1)
To evaluate
measures by government in curbing corruption and economic crimes in the public
sector.
(2)
To determine
the role-played by anti – graft agencies.
(3)
To evaluate
the effectiveness and utilization of public funds by ministry.
(4)
To evaluate
the checks and balances in ministry on public funds.
1.4 STATEMENT
OF HYPOTHESIS
The following
hypotheses are formulated for testing in the course of this research.
(1)
Null
Hypothesis (H0) – The
measures by government and anti – graft agencies in curbing corruption and economic
crimes does not eliminate crimes in the public sector.
Alternative Hypotheses (H1)
- The measures by
government and anti – graft agencies in curbing corruption and economic crimes
eliminate crimes in the public sector.
(2) H0
– The checks and balances
in ministry does not result to the effectiveness and utilization of public
funds.
H1 – The checks and balances in ministry result to
effectiveness and utilization of public funds.
1.5 SCOPE
OF THE STUDY
The research
work focus on corruption and economic crimes, its possible effect in the public
sector. The time frame covers from 1991 to 2008 using ministry of finance and
to know the possible effect of corruption and economic crimes in there. This is
necessary because it takes an equal amount of time from the last years of
military regime and an equal amount of time from the first few years of the
present democratic the economic and financial crimes commission and independent
corrupt practices commission were established.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY
Corruption
and economic crimes have eaten into the fabrics of the public sector and it has
been taken as business as usual. These deadly acts had been perpetrated without
any regret, since these crimes started from the top. It is in this light the
study is carried out to find a means of drastically reducing the ugly menace
called corruption and economic crimes.
This
study will be beneficial to civil servants in the public sector, relevant to
law enforcement agencies, public office holders, researchers, bankers,
accountants and the general public. This will help to unfold perpetrators of
such crimes and how these crimes are perpetrated.
This
study will also serve as a basis for putting into place various procedures and
policies, which will help, curb this dreaded monster (corruption and economic
crimes). This development would help to bring sanctity and sanity in the public
sector and re – introduce confidence in the public sector.
1.7 LIMITATION
OF THE STUDY
As this is a
relatively new era, not much has been carried out due to insincerity of purpose
amongst writers and non – availability of important literature works and text.
Due to the sensitive nature of the study, this would place a constraint on the
method analysis available for this study.
Non –
cooperation by the officers in the ministry also posed a challenge in this
research works. Despite the shortcomings, this research is aimed at carrying
out a comprehensive and empirical work that will meet the yearnings of people.