ECONOMIC CRIMES AND NATIONAL SECURITY; CHALLENGES FOR NIGERIA

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background Of The Study

The phenomenon of crime has been in existence since time immemorial. From the time Adam disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden to the modern highly complex crime networks, the human society has never been devoid of criminal activities. Human nature is inflexible and hence crime, which is a product of human existence, has remained irrespective of space, time or age. Nevertheless differences do exist in the practices prevalent in various cultures and societies.

A holistic definition of crime has remained illusive to scholars. This implies that there is no simple definition for crime. It is an act or the commission of an act that is forbidden or the omission of a duty that is commanded by a public law and that makes the offender liable to punishment by that law (Pillai, 2001:13). Adam smith’s natural theory of law on one hand defines crime as, ‘the violation of individual rights and man made laws’ or simply, an illegal act (ibid:14). There are varying classifications and categories of crime.

The FBI classifies crimes into violent, property and economic crimes. Violent crimes include murder and homicide (voluntary manslaughter), forcible rape, aggravated assault, and robbery while property crimes include burglary, arson, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. Economic crimes on the other hand include the embezzlement of public funds, currency trafficking and money laundering. Other categories of economic crimes include tax evasion, AFF and all such illegal acts that may have a damaging effect on the economy of the host country.

Since the end of the Cold War, many countries have witnessed great advancement in science and technology. This advancement in technology brought about a revolution in ICT. With the world now globalized, the ICT revolution in the Twentieth Century literally removed the barriers of time and space, thus increasing political and economic interactions among nations. This development ushered in abundant opportunities in the areas of tourism, culture and economic interaction among many countries. This resulted in the free and fast movement of people, information, goods and money across international borders. Thus with ICT, huge funds could be transferred across the globe electronically within a very short time.

These new opportunities brought along with them some challenges, such as the issue of economic crimes and the attendant insecurity. Economic crimes have since taken a new dimension of complexity with no respect for international boundaries. This has seriously threatened the world economy as well as the physical security and sociological well being of many countries.

All countries are vulnerable to the harmful effects of economic crimes. In the USA, daily foreign exchange transactions is estimated at US $1 trillion, out of which over US $20 billion is lost to economic and finance related crimes annually (Robinson, 2005:5).Similarly, the UK looses £25 billion yearly through scam (ibid:6). Commenting on the amount of money involved in this crime, Edward Jurith, acting director of the US ONDCP, stated that it stood roughly at US $1 trillion a year. This is largely realized from drug trafficking (Jurith, 2002:212). This implies that the volume of economic transactions across the world economies in a day is huge. It is therefore difficult to track dubious dealings in the midst of legitimate payments.

The effect of economic crimes is worse in African countries due to their weak economic structures, corruption, high rates of unemployment, mass poverty and poor wealth distribution. These are pre-requisites to the thriving of economic crimes. When the youths are unemployed and poverty threatens their very existence, they become prone to anything that guarantees their survival. Thus in most cases, Internet scam, AFF and drug trafficking become their most viable options. Similarly, when corruption has eaten into the fabric of a nation, economic crimes like embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, tax evasion and currency trafficking become the order of the day.

In Nigeria, the menace of economic crimes has been on the increase. A lucrative stock market, a well capitalized banking sector and a weak financial regulatory mechanism provide the suitable platform for economic crimes to flourish. Similarly, the lack of stringent policies on corruption has encouraged a lot of politicians and government officials to embezzle public funds without fear of ramifications. Several politicians and government officials have been indicted for embezzlement of public funds within the last decade (Ribadu, 2010:4).

Additionally, illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism are reported on regular basis leading to reduction in crude oil output. Furthermore, incidences of AFF and internet scam have persisted in the last decade. These illegal economic activities have impacted negatively on the Nigerian economy and her international image. One of the cumulative effects this has on Nigeria is the reduction in FDI and disruption of economic development. These have had a direct impact on Nigeria’s national security (ibid:5).

According to AS Mukhtar (2007:4), threats to Nigeria’s national security include border conflicts, bad governance, ethnic conflicts, militancy, underdevelopment and corruption such as economic and financial crimes. Thus, the rate of economic crime imposes real threats to the national security of the country.

The fight against economic crime in not new in Nigeria, yet this phenomenon has continued to spread its tentacles across every sector of the economy. Though economic crimes cannot be completely eradicated from the society, its frequency can be greatly reduced through organized planning and calculated measures. Accordingly, several anti-corruption agencies have been set up to combat economic and financial crimes in Nigeria. Some of these agencies are the EFCC, ICPC, NDLEA and NAPTIP among others. The activities of these agencies have raised hope that economic crimes can be curtailed in Nigeria.

The World Bank in 2006, ranked Nigeria among 26 countries that risked collapse as a result of bad governance, corruption and high rate of economic crimes (Alobo, 2006:62). Economic crimes erode the integrity of the financial institutions and discourage FDI. These are serious challenges to the Nigerian economy that could undermine her national security. It is against this background that this researcher is motivated to embark on the study of the effects of economic crimes on national security and the challenges they constitute to the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

Economic crimes have been in existence since colonial times. Initially limited in scope and accorded little importance, economic crimes started generating public concern in Nigeria from about 1984 when a decree specifying among others, the death penalty for drug traffickers was promulgated and backdated. Two citizens found guilty retroactively were subsequently executed thereby attracting public awareness among the populace about an otherwise little known crime.

Other economic crimes such as embezzlement, tax evasion, fraud, money laundering, illegal oil bunkering, arms and human trafficking and pipeline vandalism soon escalated. The World Bank estimates that as much as $200 billion has been lost to corruption and mismanagement in Nigeria since independence in 1960 (Zero Tolerance, 2008:17). In 2007, Ribadu, then EFCC chairman, said on the floor of the Senate that ‘31 out of 36 governors were indicted for acts of embezzlement of public funds’ (Newswatch, 2007:6). Despite sustained efforts to curtail these crimes, the phenomenon has continued to grow, threatening national security and sustainable development.

Increase in economic crimes have also taunted Nigeria’s image in international relations. This has led to the blacklisting of Nigeria by the USA for not doing enough to curb the involvement of Nigerians in economic crimes. In July 2002 for instance, Nigeria was decertified and Americans were advised ‘to be wary of transacting business with Nigerians’ (Sule, 2004:4).

Similarly, the Transparency International in 2003, rated Nigeria as the second most corrupt country in the world after Bangladesh. However, by 2010, Nigeria’s position had dropped to the forty fourth most corrupt country in the world. But this in no way suggests that corruption rate had reduced in Nigeria but merely an indication that other countries had become more corrupt than Nigeria. Nigeria’s CPI still remained very low. Measures so far taken by the government to curb economic crimes have yielded little result.

1.3 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• What is the relationship between economic crimes and national security?
• What are the effects of economic crimes on national security in Nigeria?
• What measures has Nigeria taken to combat economic crimes?
• What factors have militated against the eradication of economic crimes in Nigeria?
• What strategies are best suited for the eradication of economic crimes in Nigeria?

1.4 Aim and Objectives Of Study

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of economic crimes on national security in Nigeria. Thereafter, strategies that could assist in eradicating the menace will be recommended. Specifically, the objectives of the study are to:

1. Establish the relationship between economic crimes and national security.
2. Examine the effect of economic crimes on national security.
3. Examine steps taken by Nigeria to combat economic crimes.
4. Examine factors militating against the eradication of economic crimes in Nigeria
5. Suggest strategies to curb economic crimes in Nigeria.

1.5 Significance Of The Study

This study is significant because it seeks to provide the FGN, policy makers and anti-corruption agencies with a vivid understanding of economic crimes. Furthermore, it will assist in informed policy formulation and the institution of more effective measures against economic crimes.

It also seeks to enrich the existing body of knowledge, provoke further discussions and raise more public awareness on the menace of economic crimes to the society. It will provide scholars and researchers with new basic reference materials for further research work on the subject matter.

1.6 Scope Of The Study

In view of the vastness of economic crimes, this study paid particular attention to fraud and drug trafficking as they affect national security, with emphasis on Nigeria’s experience from 1999 to 2010. Fraud and drug trafficking were particularly chosen for study because of their very damaging effect on the nation’s image and their impact on national security.

Nigerians are often suspected and treated as criminals at international ports of entry into other countries just for being Nigerians. The country’s efforts to attract foreign investments and accelerate development can hardly be realised unless this problem is resolved.

The study covered the period from 1999 to 2010. This period was chosen because of government’s renewed efforts since 1999 to fight corruption at all levels and in all spheres of the country.

1.7 Limitation Of The Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint:

   The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.

2. Financial Constraint:

   Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

3. Lack of Initial Cooperation from Respondents:

   A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.