***Intercepts N5.9bn diverted funds
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu, said the Commission has recovered humongous sums of over N52 billion and $966,900.83 since he assumed office a year ago in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) made this disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja in his anniversary speech titled, THE ICPC AND THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA: An Account of My One Year in Office (December 13, 2023 -December 13, 2024), at an event to mark his One Year as the Chairman of ICPC.
The ICPC boss added that the Commission also intercepted and stopped the diversion of the sum of N5.882 billion in 323 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) within the same period under review.
The respected lawyer attributed the significant milestone achievement ICPC under his watch has recorded to the steadfast commitment to the rule of law, adaptation to evolving trends and equipping its workforce with Information Communications Technology (ICT) capacity in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Said he: “The current administration’s anti-corruption agenda and my own policy thrust encapsulated in the acronym “CARE” for impact, have further motivated the commission to enhance its tools, approaches, and engagements.
“I am therefore bold and proud to reflect on the modest progress we have made and the challenges we have overcome so far.
“These accomplishments include notable asset recoveries, enforcement actions, and initiatives promoting transparency and good governance”.
Speaking further, Aliyu said through its Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), the Commission continues to ensure accountability in government funds and delivery of tangible benefits of democracy to citizens across Nigeria.
The ICPC helmsman also said that in the area of asset recovery, N29.70 billion in cash was recovered and presently domiciled in ICPC recovery accounts just as he disclosed that in the same vein N10.98 billion in VAT was recovered and remitted to FIRS, while N10 billion COVID-19 vaccine fund meant for production of vaccine was remitted to the treasury.
Aliyu further stated that the Commission also recovered assets valued at the tune of N2.5 billion through various courts’ order of final forfeiture after it secured several favourable judgments during the year under review.
He added that $966,900.83 was also retrieved and kept secured in the ICPC’s Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account balance brought forward even as he explained that the Commission intercepted over N5 billion while conducting Systems Study and Review (SSR) of the MDAs through its Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS).
Said he: “As part of its commitment to institutional accountability, the Commission assessed 323 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies(MDAs) through its Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS).
“It also established 80 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) across MDAs to reinforce its anti-corruption efforts.
“While doing these, the commission stopped the diversion of public funds to the tune of N5.882 billion,” he said.
Aliyu however disclosed that the report of the EICS exercise conducted in the middle of this year was ready and would also be released to the public through the media.
He said the Commission had just completed the tracking of 1,500 projects nationwide, valued at N610 billion, under CEPTI Phase 7.
According to him: “Upon completion of tracking field work last week, follow-up activities are ongoing and the report is being collated. However, the report of the Phase 6 exercise conducted about this same time last year is ready and will be released to the public today”.
On the petitions received by the agency, Aliyu said that the ICPC had processed 851 petitions, with 342 assigned for investigation, 95 fully investigated, 72 cases filed in court, and 16 convictions secured.
Said he: “In this regard, we are streamlining our processes to ensure faster and more effective prosecution of cases, leading to the resuscitation of 10 to 15-year-old cases in courts.
“We have also advanced the fight against sexual harassment and corruption in educational institutions and public offices, achieving ongoing prosecutions and increased public support”.
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Meanwhile, in his Keynote Address titled: ASSET RECOVERIES AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL IN
THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION, Mr. Francis Ben Kaifala, Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Republic of Sierra Leone, congratulated Aliyu for his landmark achievements within one year as ICPC Chairman, adding that “we in Sierra Leone see Nigeria as a Big Brother from whom we have benefited alot including the blue-print and design of the legal and regulatory regime of our campaign against corruption since 2000 to date”.
The Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Czar said the introduction of Anti-Corruption Commission in his country has brought alot of respect to the nation as her Transparency International (TI) rating has significantly improved.
He however advised that the for developing countries like Nigeria and Sierra Leone, assets recovered by the Anti-Corruption body, especially where huge funds are involved must be seen to have been used to provide social amenities for the citizens.
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