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  • Corruption a dream killer – ICPC tells youths

    Corruption a dream killer – ICPC tells youths

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has described corruption as a dream killer that Nigerian children should resist at all costs.

    Mr Suleiman Achile, Assistant Director, Education Department, ICPC, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the inauguration of Students Anti-Corruption Clubs (SACs) in the FCT.

    Achile urged Nigerian children and youths to assist ICPC to protect their legitimate dreams and future by standing against corruption and allied vices.

    ”There are only two things that can stop you from achieving your dreams- corruption and you. If you do not fight corruption, it will fight you and your dreams,” he said.

    Using a pictorial PowerPoint presentation, Achile took the students through the rudiments of corruption, including its definition, types, manifestations and effects on their lives and the society.

    According to him, corruption is the abuse of public trust for private gain, taking what is meant for everybody for yourself, any dishonesty or illegal behavior that smacks of cheating.

    He said that indecency and violation of normative value of society were also part of corruption.

    Achile said that the effect of corruption on the society was grievous, which included lowering the quality and standards of education.

    ”It increases unemployment and crime, corruption erodes the ethical base of society: diligence, excellence, honesty, merit and integrity.

    “It leads to infrastructural decay, and essential services which are not rendered as and when due, like electricity, roads, hospitals and schools,” he said.

    According to him, corruption causes economic retardation and mass poverty, and it thwarts efforts to overcome it, It creates political instability and undermines the national image.

    “As you can see in these pictures, corruption can stop you from achieving your dreams! If you do not fight it, it will fight you and kill your dreams.

    “You have to stand up for the future you want. If you want that dream you have in mind to come to pass, you have to act against corruption,’’ he said.

    The director urged the children to fight corruption by being honest and standing for integrity, in addition to reporting acts of corruption at homes and in schools to their parents and authorities or trusted adults.

    A Deputy Director, Education Department, ICPC, Mr Jon Odey, sensitised the students on what the commission was doing to stop corruption, including prevention, enforcement and public enlightenment.

    Odey enjoined the  school management and teachers to contribute their quota by strengthening the  anti-corruption clubs and declaring their schools corruption-free zones.

    He highlighted efforts of the commission in addressing the challenges in schools and other segments of the society.

    Odey said that the SACs was formed to “catch them young’’ and enable the students have a voice against corruption and contribute their quota to development of the country.

    He said that the anti-graft agency was doing its best to tackle corruption from foundation through different programmes, including sensitisation of students and training of teachers.

    ”We train teachers on how to deliver the story of fighting corruption and from time to time, we hold refresher courses for teachers and we go to schools.

    ”We go to schools to talk to their anti-corruption committees, which has teachers and administrators. We sensitise them. We hold training sessions for them on the need for behavioral change,” he said.

    Mr Leslie Iheduru, a legal officer in the commission, administered oath of allegiance on the students.

    The students were from Pacesetters Academy, Gwarimpa;  Excellent Grade School, Kubwa; All Saint School, Wuse Zone 3; Noble Guide Academy, Gwarimpa and Jewel Model School, Kubwa.

    Other schools inaugurated were Foothold Academy, Kubwa; Lordswill Academy, Gwarimpa; Voyage International School, Galadimawa-Abuja and Metro international School Kubwa.

  • ICPC boss raises alarm over pervasive corruption in local governments

    ICPC boss raises alarm over pervasive corruption in local governments

    Musa Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has said that the insidious roots of corruption often find fertile ground at the local government level.

    Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said this at the National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC) members hybrid engagement on local government accountability initiative on Wednesday in Abuja  in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The ICPC boss, who spoke on “Accountability and Corruption Prevention in Local Government Administration,” called for collective efforts to tackle noxious corruption at the grassroots

    According to him, local government administration, often described as the closest tier of government to the people, is undeniably the bedrock of our democratic governance.

    “It is at this level that the daily realities of our citizens are shaped, where essential services are meant to be delivered, and where development initiatives should directly impact lives.

    “From primary healthcare and basic education to sanitation and rural infrastructure, the effectiveness of local government is directly proportional to the well-being of our communities.

    “However, it is also at this level that the insidious tentacles of corruption often find fertile ground.

    “The diversion of funds meant for local projects, ghost worker syndicates, inflated contracts, and the misappropriation of internally generated revenues are but a few examples of the corrupt practices that undermine the very essence of local governance.”

    He said that when corruption thrived at the local level, it directly impeded development, eroded public trust, and ultimately stunted the progress of the nation.

    Aliyu described it as a betrayal of the trust reposed in public officials by the very people they were meant to serve.

    He said that the ICPC fully recognised “the critical role that a robust and accountable local government system plays in national development.”

    Aliyu urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders to join hands in the fight against corruption at the local government level.

    “Members of the National Anti-Corruption Coalition, your tireless efforts in advocating for good governance, raising public awareness, and holding power to account are highly commendable.

    “You are the eyes and ears of the people, and a vital partner in this ongoing fight. We at the ICPC value your insights, your experiences, and your commitment to this cause,” he said.

    The ICPC boss called for pragmatic approaches on how to enhance financial transparency and accountability in local government finances.

    He said that there was the need to put in place measures to ensure judicious utilization of allocations from the Federation Account and internally generated revenues.

    According to him there is also need to strengthen internal control systems and audit processes at the local government level.

    “We must explore innovative ways to empower citizens to demand accountability from their local government officials.

    “Citizen’s participation in budget monitoring, project oversight, and reporting of corrupt practices is paramount. We need to sensitize our communities on their rights and responsibilities, fostering a culture where corruption is not tolerated but actively resisted.

    “We must also acknowledge the challenges faced by local government officials, including capacity gaps and, sometimes, undue external pressures.

    “While we will not condone corruption, we must also work towards building a system that is resilient and equips officials with the necessary tools and training to resist temptation and uphold ethical conduct,” he said.

    The Senior Advocate of Nigeria reiterated that the fight against corruption was not a one-off event.

    “It is an ongoing battle that requires sustained effort, unwavering commitment, and the active participation of all stakeholders.

    “The success of our efforts in local government administration will have a ripple effect, contributing significantly to national development and fostering a more equitable and prosperous society for all Nigerians,” Aliyu said.

  • Why we need innovative technology to fight corruption – ICPC boss

    Why we need innovative technology to fight corruption – ICPC boss

    The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called on the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to design innovative technologies to aid the fight against corruption, assuring the agency of ICPC’s willingness to collaborate in this effort.

    Dr. Aliyu made this call during a courtesy visit by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, and his team to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

    Highlighting the critical role of technology in both perpetrating and combating corruption, the ICPC Chairman disclosed that the Commission recently blocked the diversion of approximately N1.6 billion through the deployment of technology-based interventions.

    “We cannot fight corruption without being smart. We know the increasing use of technology in committing corrupt acts, but we are also leveraging the same technology to fight back. Because of the deployment of technological tools, we were able to block N1.6 billion that could have been stolen.” Dr. Aliyu said.

    The ICPC Boss emphasized the need for strategic partnerships in addressing corruption, especially given its global nature, stressing that the innovative mandate of NASENI and the enforcement mandate of ICPC provide a unique opportunity for synergy that could yield impactful results.

    He further assured that ICPC is prepared to use its enforcement powers and lawful instruments to ensure compliance with technology-driven innovations targeted at fighting corruption adding, “If we could work together, we would be able to block some areas where we are having this challenge,”.

    Dr. Aliyu outlined specific areas for collaboration between the two agencies. “First, I would like us to collaborate in the tracking of public funds and procurement processes. Seventy to eighty percent of corruption happens in the area of procurement. Second, we need to design a secure whistleblower platform, because we cannot fight corruption without access to information.”

    He also offered the Commission’s support in further promoting transparency and accountability within NASENI through the strengthening of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) in the agency.

    To solidify the collaboration, Dr. Aliyu proposed the creation of a Joint Innovation Task Team (JITT) to identify priority areas for joint action and ensure the sustainability of the partnership through consistent engagement and then the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

    In his remarks, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, expressed his commitment to deepening the agency’s collaboration with the ICPC. He emphasized the importance of digitalizing operational processes to prevent issues such as document leakage and pledged NASENI’s readiness to share its technical expertise with the Commission.

    Mr. Halilu said, “We are keen to extend our partnership to the ICPC. There is an urgent need to digitalize internal processes to improve security and efficiency, and we would be happy to share our knowledge and experience in this area.”

    The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their shared vision of using innovation and collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.

     

  • BPP, EFCC, ICPC, others, partner to check corruption in procurement process

    BPP, EFCC, ICPC, others, partner to check corruption in procurement process

    Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, said that it was collaborating with Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies to ensure that the procurement process in the country was not compromised.

    The Bureau said it would publish a revised list of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, that the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, could invite to observe procurement processes.

    Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, made the disclosure, on Monday, in Abuja, at a one-day national stakeholders’ interactive workshop with CSOs in Nigeria on the current trends in procurement practices and the roles of the organisations in procurement reforms.

    The workshop was declared open by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who was represented by a director in the ministry, Suleiman Haruna.

    In his opening remarks, the BPP Director General explained that the inter-agency collaboration was aimed at deploying effective corruption prevention mechanisms towards strengthening the fight against corruption in public procurement and public finance management system.

    Dr. Adedokun said: “Our resolve to further strengthen the integrity of the public procurement system in Nigeria remains unshaken.

    “We have ramped up our collaboration and working relationship with anti-corruption agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (AuGF), Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency initiative (NEITI), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

    “This inter-agency collaboration is aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption in the public procurement and the public finance management system at large, through effective corruption prevention mechanism.

    “This reform is not limited to the federal system, but is being extended to the sub-national through our partnerships with the State Government Public Procurement Regulatory Authorities and the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).”

    He explained that the workshop was not only about identifying problems; but also building partnerships for sustainable solutions.

    “Together, we can create a public procurement system that truly serves the interests of all Nigerians—one that is transparent, efficient, and free from corruption,” he stated.

    He said the workshop was a critical platform for dialogue, collaboration, and capacity building, stressing that the bureau was exploring the current trends in procurement practices and the indispensable roles of civil society organisations in advancing procurement reforms in Nigeria.

    The DG described public procurement as a cornerstone of governance and economic development, which, according to him, accounted for a significant portion of public expenditure and served as a strategic tool for achieving national development goals.

    He said that the recent introduction of digital platforms like the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal, NOCOPO, had further enhanced openness and accessibility in procurement processes despite the persisting challenges.

    The BPP boss said CSOs were critical stakeholders in the journey to transparent procurement system, adding that as watchdogs and advocates for good governance, “CSOs play a vital role in monitoring procurement processes, ensuring compliance with regulations, and holding public officials accountable.”

    He said: “Your active participation can help bridge gaps in transparency and foster trust between government institutions and citizens. Other evolving roles of CSOs are but not limited to Advocacy and Awareness, Capacity Building of key actors, Research and Analysis, Social Audits, Community mobilization, Engaging in policy dialogue, Deployment of technical tools, Enhancing public trust, Supporting sustainable development, etc.

    “This workshop is designed to equip you with insights into emerging trends in procurement practices while emphasising your roles as partners in reform. Together, we can build a procuremen system that not only meets global standards but also delivers tangible benefits to all Nigerians.”

    Continuing, he said: “Public procurement is more than a technical function—it is a strategic enabler of national development through the effective delivery of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. By ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, we directly contribute to economic growth, social equity, and sustainable development.

    “As CSOs, you play a pivotal role in this process as watchdogs. Your work ensures that public funds are utilised efficiently to deliver impactful services to citizens.As part of our intervention in addressing challenges with project delivery occasioned by weak contract management regime in the system, the Bureau is currently collaborating with key stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Bar Association and others to come up with a robust contract management framework and system that will cure the ills of the existing contract management system.

    “This will pave the way for a more effective delivery of projects that are key to the achievement of the National Development Goals and also prevent unnecessary exposure of government to contract risks that are capable of constituting a huge drain of government resources.

    “To this end, BPP will publish a revised list of CSOs that MDAs can only invite to observe procurement processes. To ensure compliance, an appropriate circular wil be issued, which will direct all MDAs to send a request to the BPP to engage CSOs as observers for bid opening immediately after advertisements are published.

    “Only the approved CSOs on the Register of Procurement Monitors will be recommended for MDAs to engage. Consequent upon this, we must jointly develop a new framework for our engagement that focuses on, among other things, ethical practice, sanctions and incentives, innovative sources of funding, and creative means of effectively observing procurement processes.”

  • Rivers Assembly invites EFCC, ICPC to investigate Electoral Commission’s boss

    Rivers Assembly invites EFCC, ICPC to investigate Electoral Commission’s boss

    The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martins  Amaewhule have called on Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offenses Commission(ICPC) to investigate the River Electoral Chairman.

    Amaewhule, who is the Speaker of the Assembly, made the remark during the plenary at the Assembly quarters complex in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

    He said that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), should be investigated for alleged misappropriation of the Commission’s fund.

    He said that it is the duty of the Rivers State Assembly, that enacted the state Independent Electoral Commission law and set up the State Independent Electoral Commission, to exercise oversight over it.

    “It is not only constitutional, but it is the convention the world over,” he said.

    Amaewhule said that Enebeli and the Commissioners came before the House of Assembly for screening and confirmation and admitted that they were not going to live above the Constitution or the Rivers’ law.

    “And it is usually the practice that questions are put forth to them, asking them if they will come before the House when questions are needed to be asked.

    “And they also confirmed to us that they will come before the Assembly to answer questions when necessary.

    “Today, we are calling on them and they are refusing to honour the summons of this August Assembly.’’
    He said that the House is vested with the powers in Section 128 of the state Constitution to invite the commission for investigation, for the chairman and members to answer questions put forward to them.

    Amaewhule said that it had become necessary for the house to invite the EFCC and ICPC to assist it, in pursuit of its investigative powers, to find out how funds were spent by the commission.

    He said that the crime commissions should also investigate how public funds were expended by the chairman, who is the chief accounting officer of the commission, in a manner that was unknown to the Assembly.

    Amaewhule said that there was no approval, no budgetary allocation, no appropriation law, and billions of public funds went down the drain in futile actions.

    “It’s important that they come and bring themselves forward for this investigation and that’s exactly what this motion has said,” he explained.

    Amaewhule said that the motion and the prayers were voted in favour by the 26 member against nil.

    He, however, said that the House did not condemn the refusal of the RSIEC’s chairman and others who failed to subject themselves to investigation by it.

    He added that the House had agreed to invite the bankers to the RSIEC to produce the commission’s bank statements from Jan, 1, 2024 till date.

    Amaewhule stated that the power to also investigate the government of the River State was rested on the Assembly by virtue of the provisions of Section 128.

  • Alleged diversion of N3bn: ICPC arrests ex-CNS and Civil Defence deputy commandant

    Alleged diversion of N3bn: ICPC arrests ex-CNS and Civil Defence deputy commandant

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has nabbed ex-Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, and Adam Yusuf, a Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kogi State.
    The were arrested  over the alleged diversion of more than ₦3 billion in public funds.
    Both men are expected to face prosecution for their involvement in the fraudulent activities.
    In a statement issued at the weekend, Demola Bakare, ICPC’s Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, confirmed the arrests, noting that Yusuf, who had been evading authorities, was finally apprehended at his residence in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
    The commission’s investigation revealed that Jibrin allegedly orchestrated the fraud through Yusuf and another associate, former Brigadier General Ishaya Bauka Gangum.
    The scheme reportedly involved the use of 92 fictitious companies, which were not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), to divert public funds.
    Yusuf allegedly acted as a front for Jibrin, facilitating suspicious financial transactions that led to the acquisition of high-value properties.
    Intelligence reports suggest that some of the stolen funds were used to purchase real estate abroad, including properties in Dubai, through proxies.
    The legal dispute over the illegally acquired properties dates back to 2019, when a Federal High Court issued an interim forfeiture order on assets linked to Jibrin and Yusuf.
    However, in July 2022, the court vacated the order, ruling that the ICPC had failed to provide sufficient evidence. The commission appealed the ruling, arguing that it was unreasonable and unsupported by available evidence.
    ICPC’s investigation has traced the diverted funds to companies such as Lahab Integrated and Gate Coast Properties, which were used to acquire at least 18 properties.
    Four of these properties have been forfeited to the federal government, while legal proceedings over the remaining assets continue.
    The ICPC is also intensifying efforts to arrest other suspects who are still at large.
    Jibrin, who served as the 21st Chief of Naval Staff from 2014 to 2015, has faced multiple corruption allegations since leaving office:
    In 2024, the Federal High Court issued an arrest warrant for him in connection with a new ₦1.5 billion money laundering case filed by the ICPC.
    He was previously linked to another ₦600 million money laundering case.
  • How ICPC recovered N20bn ghost workers’ pension deductions

    How ICPC recovered N20bn ghost workers’ pension deductions

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it recovered over N20 billion in pension deductions from the salaries of ghost workers in 2024.

    The Chairman of ICPC, Dr Musa Aliyu, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at a breakfast meeting with some members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

    Aliyu said that the commission also arrested some people who specialised in inserting names of their cronies into the Federal Government payroll.

    According to him, while deductions for workers’ pension are remitted to Pension Fund Administrators, the same cannot be said for ghost workers’ pension.

    “Any deduction made on ghost workers cannot go to any Pension Fund Administrator. It will be hanging; so that was the N20 billion recovered.

    “We have been able to track and recover this amount of money and we also identified people that are inserting ghost workers in the system.

    “We even discovered that somebody put his wife, his son and his inlaw in the payroll. He is 15-year-old boy. We arrested him.

    “These are some of the challenges that we are trying to see that we tackle. We don’t want to allow this to happen again,” he said.

    The chairman further revealed that the commission succeeded in blocking about N50 billion from being diverted by some public officers in 2023.

    While seeking the support of the media in achieving the commission’s mandate, he said that the anti-graft agency had put in place strategies to fight corruption.

    He said that the commission was trying its best to achieve its goal, adding that it would not hide information or compromise on enforcement

    “As we are empowered and regarding the issue of enforcement, we will ensure that we share verified information through reports, newsletters and press releases on our website and social media.

    “Last year, we had an event whereby we unveiled the Strategic Action Plan 2024-2028. Our strategic Action Plan is in line with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

    “We would always be proactive in making sure that we don’t allow certain things to happen so that we don’t go chasing shadows,” he said.

    The chairman, however, advocated a review of the nation’s laws to make corruption less attractive.

    According to him, anyone found guilty of corruption should not benefit from it as in some jurisdictions.

    Aliyu said such persons should be made to pay the full amount involved into public coffers with interest and barred from holding public office for as long as 10 years.

    He urged Nigerians to stop eulogising corrupt people, saying this had been at the heart of the rot in society.

    He pledged to transform the commission to a leading anti-graft agency in the country with the mutual relationship established with the media.

    “Our partnership with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has greatly improved our anti-corruption communication and public engagement efforts.

    “We salute your commitment to the crusade against corruption and our successful efforts in 2024.

    “We believe that our combined professional integrity would lead us to achieve more in our mandate of mass mobilisation against corrupt practices in Nigeria,” he said.

    Miss Hussaina Akila, the Director of News, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria,  in her remarks, lauded the ICPC chairman for initiating the forum.

    Akila, however, urged the anti-graft agency to ensure comprehensive insurance of its operatives, saying this would boost their morale.

    The meeting was attended by editors and bureau chiefs from the northern part of the country.

  • ICPC to arraign 3 El-Rufai’s aides, firm over alleged N64m fraud

    ICPC to arraign 3 El-Rufai’s aides, firm over alleged N64m fraud

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to arraign a firm and three former aides of ex-Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

    ICPC’s Spokesperson, Mr Demola Bakare, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said that the accused persons would be arraigned in  court on Friday in a fresh N64 million money laundering charge.

    According to him, the ex-appointees are Mr Lawal Adebisi, a former Senior Special Adviser to El-Rufai, Mr Umar Waziri an ex- Accountant General of Kaduna State, and Mr Yusuf Inuwa, a former Finance Commissioner in the state.

    ”Also joined in the suit is Solar Life Nigeria limited, the company, which bank account was believed to have received the diverted funds.

    ”In the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial Division,  ICPC is accusing  Lawal of conniving with the two other accused persons to have diverted the total sum of N64.800 million.

    ”The money was sent in three tranches of N10 million, N47.840 million and N7.320 million to the bank account of Solar Life Nigeria limited where Mr Lawal is believed to be  the sole signatory.

    ”The four accused persons are expected to appear in court on Friday to take their plea,” Bakare said.

    The ICPC had, last week in a separate charge,  arraigned the former Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Finance in Kaduna State, Alhaji Muhammad  Sa’idu for a money laundering.

    The commission, in a two-count charge,  also filed before the Federal High Court in Kaduna, accused Saidu of accepting a cash payment of N155 million from Ibrahim Muktar, a public officer in the Ministry of Finance.

  • Supreme Court, NAHCON, others fail ICPC integrity scorecard

    Supreme Court, NAHCON, others fail ICPC integrity scorecard

    The ICPC has revealed that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and 13 other agencies failed to meet the requirements of its 2024 Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS).

    This announcement highlights the failure of several key institutions to meet the required ethical standards and guidelines set by the ICPC for the year.

    Dr Musa Aliyu, Chairman of the ICPC, made this revelation while unveiling the agency’s EICS on Thursday in Abuja.

    The Chairman was represented by Demola Bakare, the ICPC Director of Public Enlightenment and Education.

    Aliyu reported that 330 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) were assessed in the outgoing year, but none achieved full compliance with the EICS.

    He emphasised that the 15 non-compliant MDAs had completely failed to conduct any system studies or submitted necessary financial and audit reports.

    Aliyu said among the non-compliant agencies were the University of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Legal Aid Council, Abuja, and Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.

    Other entities on the list, he said included the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Abuja; Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists; Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria; and the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre, Ningi, among others.

    Aliyu warned that the ICPC would take appropriate actions, including enforcement measures, against these MDAs to ensure they complied with government directives.

    In spite of the non-compliance of some agencies, the Chairman commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for emerging as the top performer in the EICS with a score of 89.75 per cent.

    The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) came second with 89.33 per cent, followed by Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) with 88.73 per cent.

    The assessment covered key indicators, including Management Culture and Structure (MCS), Governance and Executive Management, and Financial Management Systems (FMS).

    It also examined Finance, Revenue, and Audit Processes, as well as Administrative Systems (AS), which included policies, ethics education, and whistle-blowing mechanisms.

    The EICS serves as a preventive tool to assess and improve MDAs’ compliance with ethical standards, policies, and anti-corruption measures.

    He said that the scorecard aimed to identify organisational gaps, provide actionable insights, advise the government on policy development, and foster self-evaluation within MDAs.

    Aliyu further revealed that between December 2023 and December 2024, the ICPC tracked 1,500 projects across 22 states valued at N610 billion.

    “During this period, the commission recovered N346 million in cash, assets worth N400 million, and helped the government save N30 billion.

    “The tool covered 323 responsive MDAs, with 15 categorised as non-responsive and high-risk for corruption,” Aliyu said, noting that no MDA achieved full compliance in 2024.

    He attributed these results to the absence of whistle-blower policies, strategic plans, and effective stock verification units.

    He added that 29.55 per cent of MDAs achieved substantial compliance, 51.62 per cent partial compliance, 15.91 per cent poor compliance, and 2.92 per cent were non-compliant.

    He said that ICPC would continue recognising MDAs with substantial compliance and deploying tools to promote integrity and accountability.

    In his remarks, Jimoh Sulaiman, Head of the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), highlighted that project tracking had led to a higher completion rate for projects and increased public interest in constituency projects.

    “Nigerians now understand that project funding comes from the Federal Government, not politicians’ pockets. They are demanding accountability,” Sulaiman stated.

  • ICPC recovers N52bn, $966,900.83, intercepts N5.9bn diverted funds

    ICPC recovers N52bn, $966,900.83, intercepts N5.9bn diverted funds

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recovered over N52 billion and 966,900.83 U.S. dollars in the last one year.

    The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), disclosed this, on Tuesday in Abuja, at an event to mark his one year anniversary as the Chairman of ICPC.

    Aliyu said that the commission also intercepted and stopped the diversion of N5.882 billion in 323 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) within the same period.

    He attributed the significant milestone achievement to the steadfast commitment to the rule of law, adaptation to evolving trends and equipping its workforce with ICT capacity in the fight against corruption.

    “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.

    ”For instance, 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,” he said.

    Aliyu said that in the area of asset recovery, ₦29.70 billion in cash was recovered and presently domiciled in ICPC recovery accounts.

    He said that in the same vein ₦10.98 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.

    The ICPC chairman further stated that the commission also recovered value of assets to the tune of N2.5 billion through various courts’ order of final forfeiture.

    Aliyu added that $966,900.83, was also retrieved and kept secured in the ICPC-CBN account balance brought forward.

    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).

    “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 ₦5.882 billion,” he said.

    Aliyu 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.

    Aliyu said the commission had just completed the tracking of 1,500 projects nationwide, valued at N610 billion, under CEPTI Phase 7.

    “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,” he added.

    On the petitions received by the agency, he 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.

    “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,” the ICPC chairman said.