Accountability is promoted as a fundamental institution to regulate, rectify, and steer public officials. It is normally related to positive resonance and good governance (Bovens, 2007; Yang, 2012). Enhanced accountability may boost the fulfillment of responsibilities by creating greater answerability and transparency in the bureaucracy, curbing flagrant abuse of power, and ensuring compliance with superiors’ mandates (Dunn & Legge, 2001; Dubnick, 2003). However, the potential for paradox or pathology within accountability mechanisms is concerning and puzzles both scholars and practitioners (Koppell, 2005; Ossege, 2012; Schillemans et al., 2013; Hood, 2014).