The Anti-Corruption War in Nigeria: A Critical Appraisal of the Role of the ICPC and EFCC

The anti-corruptionregime of the last eight years has brought Nigeria to international spotlight in favourable terms. However, back at home, the crusade has come under heavy attacks, with many perceiving it as a pawn and political tool of the ruling party with which to frighten and neutralize opposition. However, anticorruption war, prior to the time it started, was long overdue in Nigeria. It is pertinent to note that corruption has cost Nigeria a whopping 220 billion pounds since 1966. The ravaging effect of corruption on national development in Nigeria is, thus, stupendous. To check the malignancy of it, President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration instituted the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) established by the AntiCorruption Acts of 2000 and 2002 respectively, to investigate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, groups and institutions found culpable or corrupt, and unearth frauds and recover public loots. This paper appraises the anti-corruption war, by critically evaluating the activities of the EFCC and ICPC. It observes that the war has not only been successful in curbing political corruption in Nigeria, but is also restoring confidence of the international community in Nigeria, and lubricating the country's foreign policy for economic development