The Reliance on Lifestyle Audits for Public Officials to Curb Corruption and Tax Evasion in Nigeria

How to cite this article Animashaun O and Chitimira H "The Reliance on Lifestyle Audits for Public Officials to Curb Corruption and Tax Evasion in Nigeria" PER / PELJ 2021(24) - DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2021/v24i0a10735

38 Pages Posted: 26 Aug 2021

See all articles by Sola Animashaun

Sola Animashaun

North-West University

Howard Chitimira

North-West University

Date Written: 2021

Abstract

Widespread corruption in the Nigerian public service is having a far-reaching detrimental effect on the economy. Public officers and other policy makers that formulate socio-economic policies are the main perpetrators of corruption in Nigeria. This article focusses on the viability of lifestyle audits for public officials as a strategy for combating such corruption, the proceeds of which are usually laundered and warehoused either offshore or in Nigeria with the assistance of professionals such as bankers and lawyers. If such warehoused wealth is discovered it is usually forfeited to the treasury of the government of Nigeria, after the trial of the offenders. This article interrogates the adequacy of the relevant legislation and the efficacy of the statutory bodies responsible for lifestyle audits in Nigeria, such as the Code of Conduct Bureau, which is discussed, as are the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 2010, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004, and the income tax reporting framework administered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service. It appears that the provisions relating to lifestyle audits under the Nigerian statutes are not robust enough to curb corruption and tax evasion. In addition, the enforcement of such lifestyle audits is hindered by the immunity granted to certain Nigerian public officers and jurisdictional conflicts in prosecuting corruption cases.

Keywords: Lifestyle audits, public officers, corruption, tax evasion, technology

Suggested Citation

Animashaun, Sola and Chitimira, Howard, The Reliance on Lifestyle Audits for Public Officials to Curb Corruption and Tax Evasion in Nigeria (2021). How to cite this article Animashaun O and Chitimira H "The Reliance on Lifestyle Audits for Public Officials to Curb Corruption and Tax Evasion in Nigeria" PER / PELJ 2021(24) - DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2021/v24i0a10735 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3897804

Sola Animashaun (Contact Author)

North-West University ( email )

Private Bag X6001
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Potchefstroom, Northwest 2520
South Africa

Howard Chitimira

North-West University ( email )

Private Bag X6001
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Potchefstroom, Northwest 2520
South Africa

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