Does democracy breed accountability? The role of state executives in Nigeria, 1999– 2007
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Date
2012
Authors
Olatunde, J.O
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Journal ISSN
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Abstract
Accountability is a key to the effective control and management of public funds by
governments in all democracies. It has been argued that financial criminal practices have
become institutionalised in developing countries due to a lack of democratic systems and a
lack of accountability. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether democracy promotes
accountability by considering the role of state executives in corrupt practices since Nigeria
returned to democratic rule. The paper uses publicly available information such as law
reports, press reports and whistleblower accounts to throw light on the role of state executives
in financial criminal practices. The paper suggests that, despite the institution of democratic
values, political and economic checks and balances and so-called anti-corruption agencies,
the ruling elite have become more corrupt while most Nigerians suffer abject poverty. This
paper therefore suggests that Nigeria needs to reform its political system and institutions to
promote integrity, accountability, to fight political corruption and to build public trust in the
Nigerian government.
Description
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Keywords
Accountability , Ffinancial crime , Democracy , Corruption
Citation
Olatunde, J.O (2012), Does democracy breed accountability? The role of state executives in Nigeria, 1999– 2007. International Journal of Critical Accounting, vol.4 (3).).