ECONOMIC CRIMES AND NATIONAL SECURITY: CHALLENGES FOR NIGERIA

ECONOMIC CRIMES AND NATIONAL SECURITY: CHALLENGES FOR NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study was set out with 5 objectives: to establish the relationship between economic crimes and national security, to examine the effect of economic crimes on national security, to examine the steps taken by Nigeria to combat economic crimes, to examine the factors militating against the eradication of economic crimes in Nigeria and to suggest strategies of curbing economic crimes in Nigeria. The method used included the unstructured interviews and documentary methods. The study revealed there is a converse relationship between economic crimes and national security. A high rate of economic crimes in Nigeria would lead to a poor state of national security. To curb this menace, the FGN enacted some laws and established some anti-corruption agencies to fight economic crimes. This notwithstanding, economic crimes have continued to thrive in Nigeria. Consequently, some areas of challenge to the anti-corruption agencies were identified. Some of them are lack of political will to fight corruption, and loopholes in the judiciary system that enabled offenders to get very mild verdicts for their crimes. To this end, some strategies were proffered as a way of overcoming the identified challenges. These included the abrogation of the immunity clause in the Nigerian constitution and the award of very severe punishments to offenders so as to deter others. Additionally, it was suggested that special courts should be established. These courts are to deal strictly with economic crimes so as to enable quick disposals of cases of economic crimes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE:         INTRODUCTION        

1.1    Background-       –        –        –        –        –        –        –        1-6

1.2    Statement of the Problem    –        –        –        –        –        6-8

1.3    Research Questions   –        –        –        –        –        –        8

1.4    Objectives of the Study        –        –        –        –        –        –        9

1.5    Significance of the Study     –        –        –        –        –        9-10

1.6    Scope of the Study     –        –        –        –        –        –        10

1.7    Limitation of the Study          –        –        –        –        –        –        11

ECONOMIC CRIMES AND NATIONAL SECURITY: CHALLENGES FOR NIGERIA