Corruption and Public Accountability in the Nigerian Public Sector : Interrogating the Omission.

Abstract

The main objectiveof this paperis tointerrogatethe omissionin thesystem ofpublic accountabilityin theNigerianpublic sector that hasmade corruptiona monster. It is germaneto statethat corruptionheightenswhereversystemsfor ensuringeffectiveaccountability areweak. There are internal and externalmechanismsforachievingaccountabilityin the NigerianPublic life, but itappearsthatthey are ineffective . This is duemainly to lackof politicalwillin redressingthe corruptiondilemma. Additionally, the Nigerianpenal (code) systemor sanctionsforweightycrimessuch as corruptionare weak and serveno deterrenceto actualand potential offenders . The paper is segmentedinto : Abstract, Introduction ; Conceptual clarification ; Corruptionand PublicAccountabilityin Nigeria: A Discourse, Conclusionand recommendations . In orderto riseabovethis challengeandmakeprogress,the fallen statusof ourlaws must beaddressedthroughpragmaticimplementationand committed leadership anchoredonsoundvaluesand practice.

Keywords: Corruption , Accountability,Transparency,PublicSector