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The purpose of this paper is to examine the current gap existing between ethics theorization and enforcement in the Nigerian leadership system.

In an attempt to achieve the objective of the paper, some ethical issues in the Nigerian governance and the several regulatory and enforcement agencies set up to curb ethical menace were critically examined. The achievements of the bodies were also evaluated.

The paper concludes that the apparent gap which continues to exist is not a function of ethical definition but results from challenges in the enforcement which are thematically grouped under leadership, societal and individual variables.

The analysis suggests that bridging the ethical gap in Nigeria depends largely on leadership which must be by example.

This paper presents an invaluable challenge to leadership in Nigeria who must reposition their responsibility.

This study aims to contribute to the emerging discourse on elite financial crime, with particular attention devoted to the role played by the legislature in corrupt practices in Nigeria. Separations of power, watchdog role of legislature and ideologies have become a major influence in democratic system. Legislative power has developed as a means of providing oversight functions over the executives, thereby inhibiting fraudulent practices in governments.

The paper argues that the political institutional structures embedded with monopoly, discretion and little or no accountability facilitate financial corrupt practices within the legislature. The paper uses publicly available evidence to show that the legislators in developing countries are actively engaged in corrupt practices.

The evidence provided in this paper shows that separation of power and representative democracy had not brought about transparency and accountability in government activities in Nigeria. Legislature often trade-off their constitutional power and their claim of service to the public interest by engaging in financial criminal practices.

This paper does not set out to provide a comprehensive analysis of political corruption. Instead, it considers the “dark” side of legislative practice by examining the involvement of legislature in facilitating corrupt financial practices in Nigeria.

The inability of the regulators to effectively sanction legislators implicated in corrupt practices suggests that the current institutional and regulatory apparatus are not fully equipped in dealing with the financial criminal activities of legislators.

Despite the arrest and prosecution of some legislators, a number of cases are swept under the carpet. Therefore, this paper suggests that Nigeria need to reform its political system and institutions to promote transparency and accountability in government and to build trust in the legislative process.

This paper considers the “dark” side of legislative practice by examining the involvement of legislature in facilitating corrupt financial practices in Nigeria.