Chairman of the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, Dr Musa Aliyu, said the commission recovered more than N20 billion and other properties from corrupt individuals in 2024.
Aliyu said this yesterday in Ilorin during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN,
on the sidelines of a Conference of State Attorneys-General in the North Central Zone.
The conference had as theme: “Strengthening Subnational Synergies for Corruption Prevention: Advancing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy in Nigeria’s North Central Region.”
The chairman, who noted that corruption was not only at the federal level, but also at the sub-nationals, said prevention is more strategic, less costly and would help retain the country’s assets and resources.
According to him,“If we allow corruption to happen, it becomes very difficult to cure, especially the litigation processes.
“We all know that the judicial process in Nigeria is too slow, because of many cases on the table and that is why we should prevent corruption.
“But if it eventually happens, we will now go for enforcement, which is investigation and probably prosecution”, he said.
The ICPC boss, however, noted that the commission is ensuring that
assets taken outside the shores of Africa and recovered are not looted again.
“One of the strategies identified as a necessary tool for success in our shared pursuit of justice is the continuity and reassessment of our efforts in the fight against corruption, as criminal trends evolve and national events unfold.
“This discussion is essential, especially as the country is undergoing significant judicial reforms and rapid legislative enhancement”, he said.
Aliyu, however, added that the commission would not relent in its fight against corruption in the country.
Besides, the Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, Dr Abdullahi Bello, who declared the event open, said corruption remains a major obstacle to Nigeria’s progress.
Bello said effective anti-corruption measures at the state level are critical to achieving national progress.
“Corruption remains a formidable obstacle to our nation’s progress, eroding public trust, undermining governance and impeding development.
“Today’s engagement provides an essential platform for State Attorneys-General in the North Central zone to share experiences, address challenges and develop collective solutions to advance the National Anti-Corruption Strategy”, he said.
The CCB chairman said the bureau had introduced initiatives to enhance transparency and accountability among public servants.
He said the bureau is developing an online asset declaration system, which would offer a more efficient and modern platform for public officers to comply with the law.
Also, the Kwara State Attorney-General, Senior Sulyman, called for more coordinated efforts in fighting corruption.
Sulyman commended the ICPC for ensuring the anti-corruption mandate in the country, while reiterating the state government’s commitment to ensure zero level of corruption.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Anti-corruption, Mr Kayode Akiolu, noted that corruption is a national phenomenon which has not allowed the country to deliver its national promises since independence.
Akiolu said the National Assembly is committed to winning the battle against corruption, adding that the 10th Assembly had ensured the adequate funding of anti-corruption agencies.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-corruption, Emmanuel Udende, said attorneys-general are the custodian of justice at the state level and must be heard.
Udende commended ICPC for decentralising the fight against corruption, while calling for unified action.
In his remarks, the State Chief Judge, Abiodun Adebara, said there is the need for joint efforts to implement the five pillars of anti-corruption.
“The fight against corruption should not be punitive, but preventive because it poses a threat to the rule of law”, he said.
NAN reports that also present at the conference were the Attorneys-General of Kogi, Plateau, Niger and Nasarawa States. NAN
