CHALLENGES OF ASSETS DECLARATION POLICY AND ANTICORRUPTION STRATEGY IN ANAMBRA STATE PUBLIC SERVICE, 2015-2023

Abstract

This study is motivated by reports of failure of many public officers in Nigeria to declare their assets and liabilities as required by law and the concerns about the danger which corruption and illicit acquisition of wealth poses to the country and the need to ensure integrity, transparency and accountability in governance. This study therefore, interrogated challenges of assets declaration policy and anticorruption strategy in Anambra state public service from 2015 to 2023 as contained in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (amended) in the fifth Schedule, part 1, section 3(B) which makes it compulsory for public officials to declare their Assets and liabilities regularly to the Code of Conduct Bureau. The hypothesis focused on the operational procedures of the Code of Conduct Bureau in using assets declaration as anti-corruption strategy in Anambra state public service, 2015 and 2023. This study employed mixed design to shape the study. Being a research conducted focusing on Anambra state, the study utilized mixed method involving survey questionnaire and interview method as method of data collection. The population was 476 while sample size was 400 using Camry and Lee method, while the questionnaire recovered were 353. This was subjected to both validity and reliability test using face and cronbach Alpha respectively. Deductive method of data analysis was used focusing on available data available for research. The study adopted Structural functionalism as the theoretical framework for the study. The study observed that it is not enough to establish institutions, but that they will remain mere symbolism if they are not equipped and given the right atmosphere to work. The study therefore, recommends that CB anticorruption strategy should be strengthened in encouraging Assets declaration among public servants in Anambra State.