ICPC Recovers N13 Billion in Diverted Public Funds in September

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reported the recovery of N13 billion in diverted public funds during September.

In his welcoming address at the launch of the ICPC Strategic Action Plan 2024-2028 on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, in Abuja, ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, hailed this achievement as significant.

He emphasized that this substantial recovery reflects the commission’s ongoing commitment to fighting corruption and promoting accountability in Nigeria.

In recent years, the ICPC has made notable strides in fulfilling its mandate, including the recovery of over N13 billion in diverted public funds in September 2024 alone.

“This is just one example of our dedicated efforts to meet our goals,” he stated.

“We are also initiating ICT reforms aimed at digitalizing our operations, which will enhance our efficiency in investigations, case management, and internal processes.

“This transformation will establish the commission as a leader in utilizing technology to combat corruption, ensuring we stay one step ahead of criminal activities in the digital era.”

Mr. Aliyu noted that the commission is also creating a specialized curriculum to strengthen the enforcement capabilities of its personnel.

“This initiative equips our officers with the skills and expertise needed to address the complexities of corruption cases with the highest standards of professionalism and efficiency.

“We are decentralising the anti-corruption efforts by empowering state governments through the mobilisation of state attorneys-general. This approach ensures that state governments are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to effectively combat corruption at the local level,”

The ICPC chairman highlighted that the commission successfully organized a conference with state attorneys-general in September, with attendance from over 30 chief law officers from various states.

He mentioned that in response to the findings of the Third National Corruption Survey, the commission has increased its efforts to expand the anti-corruption campaign by actively involving citizens, civil society, and the media.

“A key part of this initiative is our upcoming EthicsPod digital community, designed to foster a culture of transparency and accountability across both public offices and everyday life nationwide.

“These efforts are part of a comprehensive strategy, forming the backbone of our Strategic Action Plan 2024-2028, which builds on our past achievements and charts a clear path for the future,” he said.

“SAP, in line with our ‘CARE for Impact’ initiative (Culture, Accountability, Responsibility, and Efficiency), provided a comprehensive roadmap for achieving our goals over the next five years.

“It aligns with key national policies such as the Nigeria Agenda 2050, the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2022-2026, and the National Ethics and Integrity Policy, among others.

“As part of this strategy, we will continue to strengthen our institutional integrity and deepen collaborations with other stakeholders,” he said.

The ICPC boss emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts to prevent corruption and corrupt practices.

“As we know, prevention is better than cure, and the ICPC has intensified efforts to identify institutional and administrative vulnerabilities through System Studies and Corruption Risk Assessments.

“We have also continued to engage with the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) in ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), reinforcing our grassroots monitoring mechanisms.

“As we look ahead, the success of this strategic plan will rely heavily on synergy, collaboration, and strategic partnerships, and I want to reaffirm the ICPC’s commitment to a multi-agency approach in tackling corruption,” he said.

He stated that the journey necessitates collective sacrifice, discipline, and integrity from all stakeholders involved.