The Looting of Contemporary Ngeria: An Integrated Theoretical Perspective on Crimes of the Powerful

• In Event: Critical Theory and Violence: New Areas and Approaches

Abstract

Crime of the powerful is a humongous social problem with the potential to ravage development and threaten the corporate existence of nation states. The case of contemporary Nigeria is the focal point of analysis in this paper. The objective of the paper, therefore, is to investigate the menace in Nigeria from an integrated theoretical perspective. The methodology was exploratory survey and review of literature which were content analyzed. The theoretical framework is a kind of Modified Multiple Reinforcing Social Forces Theory. Findings indicate that, beside its high prevalence rate, elite criminality in the various forms of corruption, property and environmental crimes, political crimes, sponsorship of terrorism and banditry and similar others, are pervasive in contemporary Nigeria. Major causes of this menace will be discussed and critically analyzed. This study, therefore, strives to explore this social problem critically and provides possible solutions for consideration.

Authors

• Walter Ohagoro, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

• Charles Amachi Ubah, Georgia College & State University