The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) announced the recovery of N13 billion in diverted public funds during September 2024. Dr. Musa Aliyu, the Chairman of the ICPC, made the disclosure in his welcome address at the launch of the commission’s 2024-2028 Strategic Action Plan in Abuja.
“This recovery is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the ICPC’s relentless efforts aimed at combating corruption and ensuring accountability in the country,” Aliyu stated. He emphasized that this recovery was just one of many initiatives the commission is undertaking to fulfill its mandate.
In his address, Aliyu outlined the ICPC’s ongoing reforms, particularly its focus on information and communication technology (ICT) to enhance its operational efficiency. “Over the past years, the ICPC has made significant progress in discharging its mandate; for example, we recovered over N13 billion diverted public funds in September alone,” he noted. “We are also embarking on ICT reforms that will digitalize our operations and enable more efficient investigations, case management, and internal processes.”
The ICPC Chairman highlighted the importance of these reforms in positioning the commission as a leader in leveraging technology to combat corruption, stating, “This transformation will position the commission as a leader in leveraging technology to combat corruption, keeping us one step ahead of criminal activities in the digital age.”
Additionally, Aliyu revealed the commission’s efforts to empower state governments in the fight against corruption. “We successfully held a conference with state attorneys-general in September, attended by more than 30 of them,” he reported. This approach aims to equip state governments with the necessary tools and resources to effectively combat corruption at the local level.
Aliyu also stressed the necessity of preventive measures against corruption, stating, “As we know, prevention is better than cure,” and urged the need to identify institutional and administrative vulnerabilities through System Studies and Corruption Risk Assessments.
Speaking on the strategic plan being launched, Aliyu emphasized the need for synergy and collaboration among various agencies to effectively tackle corruption. “The success of this strategic plan will rely heavily on synergy, collaboration, and strategic partnerships. I want to reaffirm the ICPC’s commitment to a multi-agency approach in tackling corruption,” he asserted.
In conclusion, Aliyu called for the institutionalization of integrity in the fight against corruption, suggesting that “together, we can institutionalize integrity in our systems and mobilize our citizenry to embrace the anti-corruption war,” He said.
