The Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, has claimed recovery of more than N20 billion and properties from unnamed corrupt person’s in 2024.
The Chairman of the commission, Dr Musa Aliyu, spoke in Ilorin on the sidelines of a Conference of State Attorneys-General in the North-Central Zone but gave no details.
The conference was themed: “Strengthening Subnational Synergies for Corruption Prevention: Advancing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy in Nigeria’s North Central Region.”
Aliyu emphasized that corruption was not only present at the federal level but also prevalent in subnational governments. He said prevention remained the most strategic and cost-effective method to safeguard the country’s resources.
“If we allow corruption to happen, it becomes very difficult to cure, especially with the litigation processes. We all know the judicial process in Nigeria is too slow, because of many cases on the table. That is why we should prevent corruption,” he said.
The ICPC boss added that if corruption occurred despite preventive efforts, the agency would pursue enforcement through investigation and prosecution.
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He also disclosed that the commission is working to ensure that assets taken out of Africa and later recovered are not re-looted.
“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,” Aliyu said.
He assured that the ICPC remains committed to the anti-corruption crusade across the country.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr Abdullahi Bello, described corruption as a major barrier to national progress, eroding public trust and hampering 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,” Bello said.
He revealed that the bureau is developing an online asset declaration system to simplify compliance for public officers.
Kwara State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Senior Sulyman called for coordinated efforts in tackling corruption. He praised the ICPC for its national anti-corruption mandate and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to zero tolerance for graft.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, Mr Kayode Akiolu, described corruption as a long-standing national issue that has hindered Nigeria’s development since independence. He said the 10th National Assembly has ensured better funding for anti-corruption agencies.
Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption Chairman, Sen. Emmanuel Udende, urged state Attorneys-General to speak up, commending the ICPC for decentralising anti-corruption initiatives.
Kwara State Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Adebara, concluded that anti-corruption efforts should focus more on prevention than punishment, stressing that corruption undermines the rule of law.
NAN
