A Two-day training workshop organised by anti-graft agency, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC) for journalists covering the Commission has confirmed the phrase “scientia potentia est” (or “scientia est potentia”), a Latin aphorism meaning: Knowledge is Power, cannot be faulted.
Tagged: “Capacity Building for the Media on Reporting Anti-Corruption Issues as it Relates to ICPC”, the workshop which took place in Keffi, Nasarawa State, was impactful to the attendees.
For two days, no fewer than 40 participants who are mainly practicing journalists drawn from various media outlets-television, radio and newspapers, converged at Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) Campus in Keffi from Tuesday 25 to Wednesday 26, January, 2022.
Each day, experts in the field of anti-corruption and media field took their turns to give lectures on the topics given to them with the majority of the lecturers coming from ICPC and they impressed the attendees.
Indeed, the training opened the eyes of many of the participants to many things about the Commission’s operations which hitherto were not known to many just as the views of many of the participants will likely change after the workshop.
Although all the Lecturers/Speakers made good impression on the minds of many of the participants, there are those who were exceptional in the delivery of the lectures.
Amongst them are: Mr. Akeem Lawal, ICPC Director of Operations who gave lectures on “Understanding Anti-Corruption Issues-Overview of the ICPC Act and ICPC Mandate (Focus on the Enforcement Mandate” and Mohammed Ashiru Baba, ICPC Director of Enlightenment and Education who spoke on “ICPC Initiatives (CEPTC, NEIP, NVC)- Overview of the Public Enlightenment and Education Mandate”.
Others are Mr. Dayo Aiyetan who spoke on “Investigative Journalism and the Challenges of Reporting Corruption” and Alhaji Yusuf Ali whose paper centered on “The Role of the Media in Reporting Corruption”. Their presentations on Day One were spot on.
Also, Day Two saw Mr. Kayode Adebayo who lectured participants on “ICPC Initiatives and Operations (IFFs, Asset Recovery, etc)” and Abbia Udofia, ICPC Director, System Study and Review Department whose lecture is titled “Understanding ICPC Preventive Mandate” revealed many issues surrounding the operations of the Commission.
But the most interesting to most of the participants was the legal angle of reporting the anti-corruption agency with emphasis on the need for journalists to exercise caution while reporting corruption cases.
Leading the call to exercise caution while reporting corruption cases to avoid damaging the reputation of accused persons was Barrister Ebenezer Shogunle, Deputy Director in the Legal Department of ICPC.
Shogunle who gave a lecture on “ICPC Initiatives-Sexual Harassment (Abuse of Office), Understanding Court Cases”, tasked journalists to avail themselves of the ICPC Act 2000 as it affects power to investigate reports and enquire into information relating to ICPC cases.
Said he: “A report made under Section 27 (4) sub-section (1) of this section shall not be disclosed by any person to any person other than officers of the Commission or the Attorney General until the accused person arrested or charged to court for an offence under this Act”.
Shogunle who is the lead Prosecutor for ICPC who has won many landmark cases for the Commission therefore advised journalists against rushing to “name and shame” when the case has not been determined by a competent court of law.
Earlier in his remarks, the Provost, ACAN, Keffi, Professor Olatunde Babawale, had stated that the issues for discussion at the workshop have been carefully put together to ensure maximum learning by participants
Said he: “The learning objectives have been formulated to ensure that each participating organisation is equipped with the knowledge and skills that would enable it become a viable partner in the anti-corruption war. This way, we believe that the foundations for a long-term sustainable assault on corruption are being laid”.
This was what was actually achieved at the end of the workshop as every journalist who had opportunity to atten the event is well-equipped to report anti-corruption cases better than before participating in the workshop.
Kudos to Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, ICPC Spokesperson and the entire media department of the Commission who packaged the Media Training Programme for the fantastic show they delivered.
However, it is not a big surprise that ICPC and media are partners in progress as the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye is not only a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), his a teacher and Civil Rights Activist who is at home with journalists.
The Commission will truly be the winner for putting the workshop together as ICPC media ratings will go up going forward. More of such trainings will ensure that the anti-corruption fight in Nigeria has just started.
Harry Awurumibe, is Abuja Bureau Editor of Prompt News Online
