TheNewsGuru

Tag: ICPC

  • Why young people in Nigeria engage in yahoo yahoo operations – Femi Falana

    Why young people in Nigeria engage in yahoo yahoo operations – Femi Falana

    Mr Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has attributed the rise in Internet fraud, popularly known as yahoo, in Nigeria to unemployment.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Falana was speaking on Monday on the change of guards at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when he said this.

    Recall that on October 12, 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Ola Olukoyede as the new Chairman of EFCC for a renewable term of four years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.

    Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily programme, the human rights lawyer said Mr Olukoyede is qualified to lead the anti-graft commission having previously served as Chief of Staff to the EFCC Chairman (2016-2018) and Secretary to the Commission (2018-2023) as well as having 22 years cognate experience.

    Falana, however, questioned the modus operandi of the EFCC while noting that the figures of conviction always reeled out by the anti-graft agency are mostly made up of Internet fraudsters, young people who engage in “yahoo yahoo operations”.

    “We must go beyond simply fighting corruption. How do you erect a system that will reduce corruption to the bearest minimum? How do you collect money owed the country by foreign agencies, multinational corporations and departments of the government?

    “For me, it is not about changing one or two people or what the EFCC does now by reelingout figures of number od people convicted and at the end of the day, these are Internet fraudsters, young people who engage in what you call yahoo yahoo operations.

    “Whereas, those who cause them to engage in such criminality are moving freely in town. We know of them. So, why will a young man engage in yahoo yahoo operations if he or she is gainfully engaged?” Falana queried.

    Speaking further, the senior lawyer said the federal character principle must be respected in public service appointments.

    Falana averred that it is against the federal character principle for the chairmen of the two anti-graft federal agencies in Nigeria to come from the same geopolitical zone.

    He stressed if the EFCC Chairman is from the northern region, the southern region should produce the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    “If you are going to have the EFCC and the ICPC, the heads cannot come from same zone. If you are going to have the EFCC and the ICPC, the heads cannot come from same zone.

    “If there are two positions in the public service, one must go to the North, one must go to the South. If there are four, two must go to the South, two must go to the North. If there are six, one must go to each geopolitical zone. That is the law in Nigeria today.

    “So, I am not comfortable with the fact that the heads of the EFCC and the ICPC are from the same zone. Apart from that, Mr Ola Olukoyede, is eminently qualified to head the EFCC. My colleagues who have criticised the appointment have not looked at the relevant provisions of the EFCC which is Section 2,” Falana said.

    TNG reports both Mr Olukoyede and ICPC Chairman, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN), who has been in office since February 2019, are from the South-West geopolitical zone.

    Many lawyers and analysts have criticised the appointment of Mr Olukoyede, saying he is not an Assistant Commissioner of Police and, therefore, not qualified to lead the EFCC.

    Olukoyede becoming EFCC Chairman followed the controversial resignation of embattled ex-EFCC boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was suspended on June 14, 2023 and detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) over “weighty” allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.

    “There is no issue; the only issue that has been raised, which has to be considered by the government, is that we have in this country, the Federal Character Commission Act and also by the virtue of Section 14 of the constitution, appointments must reflect Federal Character,” Falana stressed.

  • Court dismisses Bulkachuwa’s suit seeking to stop ICPC, DSS, from investigating him

    Court dismisses Bulkachuwa’s suit seeking to stop ICPC, DSS, from investigating him

    A Federal High Court  Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed the suit filed by Sen. Adamu Bulkachuwa seeking to stop the ICPC from investigating him over the comment he made during the valedictory session of the 9th National Assembly (NASS).

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, held that the suit lacked merit and ought to be dismissed.

    Justice Ekwo said that Bulkachuwa, being a lawmaker, ought to understand the implication of the statement that he made on the floor of the Senate.

    According to him, the legislative immunity which the plaintiff (Bulkachuwa) claims in this case does not avail him.

    “It is the duty of every law-abiding citizen to assist and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in their quest to carry out their statutory function.

    “It is only where a law enforcement agency breaches the fundamental right of a citizen in the process of carrying out their statutory function, then a cause of action could be said to have arisen,” the judge said.

    Bulkachuwa had sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the NASS clerk, State Security Service, ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

    The plaintiff asked the court to declare that he “is covered, privileged and protected by the parliamentary immunity as enshrined in Section 1 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017 and freedom of speech and expression made thereto is privileged.”

    He also prayed the court to declare that without exhausting the internal disciplinary mechanism, recommendations and approval of the 9th House of Senate, no other law enforcement agent of the Federal Government, including the defendants can invite any member of the Senate for questioning/interview.

    Justice Ekwo said the utterance made by Bulkachuwa on the floor of the Debate on June 10 was not covered by Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

    ”The provision is that every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”

    According to the judge, the clear words of Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) cannot be interpreted to mean that a person can say anything he likes.

    “In a formal setting like that plenary session or committee proceedings of the Senate, It is not expected-a person who is privileged to voice any expression will utter words or express opinion or impart Ideas or gives’ Information that cannot be defended under the constitution.

    “Upon studying the provision of Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), it Is my opinion, that the words uttered by the plaintiff on the floor of the Senate on Saturday, 10th June, 2023 was a confession of doing an act that is prohibited by law.

    “When a person confesses that he influenced a judicial officer to help his friends and colleagues, such a person has gone beyond the limit of freedom of speech that is reasonably covered and protected by the provision of Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “A person who has used the opportunity given to him by the constitution to express himself freely and uses the opportunity to expose his actions or conduct which the law of the land criminalises, has unwittingly invited law enforcement agencies to question him.

    “This is what the plaintiff did in this case.

    “I therefore find that that the speech of the plaintiff on the floor of the Senate on June 10, was a confession of illegal act and Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) cannot be invoked to cover such and I so hold,” he declared.

  • Wike didn’t invite EFCC, ICPC to investigate predecessor – Director

    Wike didn’t invite EFCC, ICPC to investigate predecessor – Director

    The Office of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has denied any plan by the minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to in invite the nation’s anti-graft agencies to investigate his predecessor, Malam Muhammad Bello.

    The Director of Press, Mr Anthony Ogunleye, made the rebuttal in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

    Ogunleye said that the rebuttal was in response to a claim by an online media platform that Wike plans to invite EFCC and ICPC to investigate Bello.

    He said that the false media publication alleged that Bello would be investigated for alleged irregularities in the award of contracts and other matters.

    “We categorically and unequivocally state that these reports are entirely baseless and without any merit whatsoever.

    “The FCT minister, during his routine inspections of various projects within the FCT, has indeed expressed concerns and frustrations regarding irregularities observed in the procurement and execution of certain projects, amongst other observations.

    “However, at no point did he contemplate or authorize any action by anyone within or outside the FCT Administration to invite the EFCC or ICPC to investigate the former FCT minister in connection with these or any other matters.

    “The online story in question is nothing more than a product of the imagination of its authors and is clearly designed to mischievously sow discord and confusion among the general public,” the director said.

    Ogunleye said that the FCT Administration viewed such misinformation with great concern and urged the public to exercise caution when in contact with the unfounded reports.

    The director of press added that the FCT minister remained focused on his responsibilities to ensure the efficient and transparent administration of the Federal Capital Territory.

    “Any actions or decisions taken by the FCTA in this regard will be communicated through official channels and in accordance with due process.

    “We, hereby, advise the public to disregard the story in its entirety, as it is nothing but a deliberate attempt to spread fake news and create unnecessary tensions.

    “Wike remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability in the discharge of his duties and remains committed to building the FCT of our collective dreams,” Ogunleye said.

  • ICPC begins investigation of bribery allegation against Reps C’ttee on job racketeering

    ICPC begins investigation of bribery allegation against Reps C’ttee on job racketeering

    The ICPC has commenced investigation into bribery allegations against the House of Representatives Committee on job racketeering and gross mismanagement in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    Azuka Ogugua, spokesperson for Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Ogugua said that the ICPC received petitions from an online medium, Premium Times Nigeria; and Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, Chairman of the ad hoc committee, to investigate bribery allegations against the probe panel.

    The online medium published a story alleging that some members of the committee requested vice chancellors and heads of tertiary institutions to pay certain amounts to an account as bribes.

    The story also claimed that the account was dedicated for the purpose of giving a soft landing to any institutions’ that would pay the bribe money into it during the investigation.

    Members of the committee were also said to have engaged in extortion from heads of MDAs, including those of academic institutions.

    Gagdi had on Thursday said the committee wrote to ICPC to investigate the allegations of bribery and extortion against the members of the committee.

    The chairman said that the committee had written to ICPC to investigate the account number allegedly released to heads of tertiary institutions for payment of the bribe.

    “I have already written to the ICPC to investigate the account number that was published by an online medium the owner of that account, whether there is any transaction by vice chancellors and rectors of polytechnic in the country.”

    Gagdi threatened that the committee would take legal action against the online medium over the publication, which aim, he said, was to “blackmail and discredit” the committee.

  • Whistleblower policy: ICPC witch-hunts no one – Chairman

    Whistleblower policy: ICPC witch-hunts no one – Chairman

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC) has said that the anti-graft agency does not witch-hunt any Nigerian.

    This was disclosed by Bolaji Owasanoye SAN, Chairman of ICPC, during a Whistleblowing and Whistleblower Protection town-hall meeting, organised by the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy, (AFRICMIL) in Calabar.

    Represented by Mr Kalu Ugbo, Acting Resident Commissioner of the commission in Cross River, Owasanoye said the agency was highly independent and carried out its responsibilities according to the law.

    He, however, noted that sometimes, the agency was challenged because the whistleblower policy was not yet a law but just a policy even though it had aspects that dealt with the protection of whistleblowers.

    “The whistleblower policy is yet to be a law in Nigeria but it has aspects that covers the protection of a whistleblower because it is a risky undertaking that can put someone’s life or family at stake.

    “Another challenge for ICPC is that the act that established the commission only empowers it to investigate and prosecute wrong-doings when there is a petition or someone blows the whistle.

    “We are trying to amend the act so that when ICPC sees a wrong-doing, it can go against the perpetrator, rather than wait until petitions are forwarded,” he said

    Similarly, Mr Bawa Saidu, Commander, Uyo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), noted that 90 per cent of their prosecution and conviction was due to whistleblowing.

    Saidu, who said whistle blowing was very essential in the fight against corruption, noted that the protection of the whistleblower must be strengthened to encourage more whistleblowers to support the commission.

    He said the anti-graft agency had an internal mechanism that ensured the safety of a whistleblower and monitored the activities of its operatives to ensure high standards at all times.

    On his part, the Coordinator of AFRICMIL, Dr. Chido Onumah said his organisation had taken the whistleblower project to the six geopolitical zones of the country to sensitise the people to the need to demand accountability and challenge wrong-doings.

    Onumah said they were aware of the reality that among other incentives for whistleblowing, the most crucial was protection.

    “There is no way people will be motivated to engage in whistleblowing if they know they will not be protected from victimisation for reporting wrongdoings; not even the promise of reward is strong enough motivation to blow the whistle,” he said.

    He said although the whistleblowing and whistleblower protection draft bill by AFRICMIL and other stakeholders were approved by the Federal Executive Council in December 2022, regrettably, it wasn’t passed into law before that tenure elapsed.

    He added that they were working with partners and stakeholders in the public sector to ensure that the bill was passed into law soon.

  • My political opponents using ICPC, DSS, others to harass me – Bulkachuwa

    My political opponents using ICPC, DSS, others to harass me – Bulkachuwa

    Sen. Adamu Bulkachuwa has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and others of colluding with his political enemies to harass him.

    Bulkachuwa told Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, in a suit filed against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Clerk of the National Assembly, and others.

    In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/895/2023 filed by his lawyer, Donald Ayibiowu, Bulkachuwa, a senator in the 9th National Assembly, also joined the State Security Service (SSS), also known as DSS; the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as defendants.

    The ex-lawmaker, who is the husband of the immediate-past President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, said the ICPC and other security agencies had continued to harass him since his valedictory comment on the floor of the Senate, which his political enemies continued to misrepresent.

    He cited the June 15 letter of invitation sent to him by the ICPC over his comment on the floor of the Senate, which many had misinterpreted to mean that he had influenced his wife’s handling of some case while she was the president of the Court of Appeal.

    But he argued that, as a serving senator when he made the comment, he was, by law, immuned to arrest or detention over any of his conduct, action or speech on the floor of the Senate.

    In a supporting affidavit, he said he was freely expressing himself on the floor of the upper legislative chamber when the then Senate President, Ahmad Lawal, interjected and prevented him from completely expressing his thought.

    He said he was neither questioned nor disciplined by the Senate for any wrongdoing.

    Bulkachuwa stated that he was surprised to received an invitation from the ICPC, asking him to report for interview on June 22 for interrogation over his comment on the floor of the Senate.

    He argued that by law, it was only the Senate in session (committee of the whole) or any of its sub-committees that had the disciplinary power to invite him to answer any question or questions relating to his conduct or utterances on the floor of the upper chamber.

    “The National Assembly is an independent arm of government with its own regulatory power and every Senator, including the plaintiff, have the parliamentary immunity to boldly express themselves on the floor of the Senate without any fear of sanctions from the executive arm of government, for and on behalf of their constituents.

    “Hence, the immunity conferred on members to allow or grant lawmakers the freedom of speech they required and confidence why on the floor of the Senate.”

    Bulkachuwa alleged that the defendants,  particularly the ICPC, had joined his political opponents “to adopt and propagate the unintended inference from the said inchoate valedictory speech made on the floor of the Senate.

    “The defendants, particularly the (ICPC or any other law enforcement agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria do not have the powers to invite/discipline me (as serving member of the Senate at the time of my utterance in reference) questioning/interview on any matter that occurred on the floor of the house of Senate without the prior approval of the Senate Committee saddled with the investigation the actions of a member.”

    He argued that “no civil or criminal proceedings can lie against a serving member of the Senate on account of the speech/utterances made on the floor of the Senate unless and until the Senate exhausts its disciplinary powers over such a member.”

    He said that because he was a politician, the defendants jointly and severally, might have decided to join form with his political foes to question and disciplined him for his said statement, made on the floor of the Senate.

    He, therefore, prayed the court to, among others, declare that he was covered and protected by the Parliamentary Immunity as enshrined in Section 1 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges)  Act of 2017.

    Bulkachuwa also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and other agencies of the Federal Government  from further inviting and or compelling him “to appear before them for interviews or questioning in respect of his inchoate utterances on the floor of the 9th Senate.”

    Upon resumed hearing on Thursday, Bulkachuwa’s lawyer, Donald Ayibiowu, urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought.

    In a counter affidavit, the Clerk of the National Assembly argued that Bulkachuwa enjoyed immunity from any form of proceedings in respect of words spoken or written at the plenary session.

    Lawyer to the AGF, Oyin Koleoso, faulted the plaintiff’s argument, contending that he no longer had any immunity from arrest and prosecution because he had ceased to be a senator.

    Koleoso urged the court to dismiss the suit.

    O. A. Aderounmu, who appeared for the DSS, and ICPC’s lawyer, U. M. Narimir, also urged the court to dismiss the case.

    Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until Oct. 25 for judgment.

  • Corruption allegations: HEDA urges ICPC to probe former AGF, Malami

    Corruption allegations: HEDA urges ICPC to probe former AGF, Malami

    Human and Environmental Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), a Nigeria’s anti-corruption group, has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to conduct a thorough investigation into the tenure of the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over several allegations of corruption and abuse of office.

    HEDA in a four-page petition document signed by its chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, and issued as a statement on Sunday,  decried the lack of any investigation or report by anti-corruption agencies of some allegations as conveyed by media reports and documentary evidence in total disregard for the rule of law while Mr Malami was Minister of Justice.

    The  petition which was copied to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, also cited several corruption allegations against  Malami.

    The group mentioned ten alleged corrupt practices connected to his name, including distributing 30 cars worth over N1 billion as gifts to his supporters in Kebbi State.

    The group said the cars, widely reported by PremiumTimes in May 2022, included 14 Mercedes Benz, 8 Prado SUVs, 4 Toyota Hilux and 4 Lexus LX and the beneficiaries were social media influencers, executive members of Mr Malami’s foundation and women support groups.

    “Illegal auctioning of sea vessels holding crude oil seized by the Federal Government, violating Section 31(2) and (4) of the EFCC Act 2004 and assuming the role conferred on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission as reported by The Cable Newspaper on the 13th July 2020.

    “Alleged duplicity of payment of $16.9 million fees to two friends as new lawyers for the recovery of the loot traced to a former Nigerian Head of State, Sanni Abacha, after a Swiss lawyer, Enrico Monfrini, hired and fully paid by the previous government, to help in the recovery had completed his brief as reported by PremiumTimes on the 10th of April, 2018. it was alleged that Mr Malami undertook the action with the intention of kickback from the deal.

    “Allegedly seeking the withdrawal of cases against Bello Adoke, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Abubakar Aliyu and others involved in the Malabu scandal through his letters to former President Buhari on the ground of lack of significant evidence to prove allegations of sharp practices against prominent players in OPL 245 oil deal. As reported by PremiumTimes on the 18th of February, 2018.

    The group is also asking the anti-corruption agency to investigate the returns of looted funds of $78 million to Nigeria and how his office instituted cases on behalf of Nigeria in Italy and the United Kingdom against the same suspects.

    HEDA said that Mr Malami confessed to a conflict of interest in his recent book, “Traversing the Thorny Terrain of Nigeria’s Justice Sector; My Travails and Triumphs” (page 30) that “Muhammad Adoke, former Attorney-General, gifted some books, an office desk and chairs while setting up my new office.

    “Though a friend to my principal, Mr Adoke and I had developed a direct relationship and because of how frequently I was in court, Mr Adoke gave me files to handle….”. This personal and conflicted relationship with Mr Adoke was never disclosed while pretending to discharge his official functions over the matter.”

    “Reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) into the Federal Civil Service under a controversial circumstances defying due process, and indicating compromise of Malami by Maina after his dismissal in 2013 for corruption and declared wanted by EFCC as reported by Daily Trust Newspaper of April 3rd, 2018.

    “This was after Malami admitted before Senate ad hoc Committee that he met with Maina in Dubai, at a time when Maina was wanted by the EFCC for over N2billion corruption.

    “Mr Malami also displayed his unpretentious hatred for the fight against corruption by writing a letter dated 16th December 2016 to withdraw the case of fraud filed against Mr. Godsday Orubebe, the former Minister of Niger Delta, filed by the ICPC in a case involving over N1.97 billion, on the ground that, in his opinion, there was no basis for filing the charges. “

    Meanwhile, HEDA said it strongly believes that those allegations are too serious to be ignored or allowed to go without investigation and therefore demanded thorough, immediate, and urgent investigation of Mr Malami for the sanity of the public office and image of the country.

    The anti-corruption group also said  it believes in the prevalence and sanctity of the rule of law, and due process. It, therefore, asked the ICPC for diligent investigation and timeous action to restore the sanctity of the commission’s core mandate

  • DSS breaks silence on arrest of ex-Gov Yari, denies invading ICPC

    DSS breaks silence on arrest of ex-Gov Yari, denies invading ICPC

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied invading the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to cart away files implicating President Bola Tinubu and close aides.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the DSS also broke silence on the arrest and subsequent detention of the former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari.

    In a statement on Sunday by Peter Afunanya, Public Relations Officer of the Department of State Services, National Headquarters, Abuja, the DSS stressed its officials DSS did not execute operations of any kind at the ICPC and CCB or remove files from their offices.

    Recall that there have been claims that that the Service stormed the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and carted away certain files from them.

    It was also claimed claimed that there was a rumble in the DSS due to nepotism, and that the DSS was snooping on Judges on the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

    Reports also emerged that Senator Abdulaziz Yari was arrested for allegedly refusing to pick the President Bola Tinubu’s phone call.

    According to the DSS, “There are other variants of unsubstantiated and anonymous petitions flying around against the DGSS, his family and some officials”.

    The statement reads in part: “The Service ordinarily would not have responded to these inaccuracies but for the fickle minded and vulnerable persons as well as the unsuspecting public that may take the lies for facts.

    “To set the records straight, the DSS did not execute operations of any kind at the ICPC and CCB or remove files from their offices. Instructively, the two agencies have, on their own, refuted the news in widely circulated press statements.

    “It is petty, if not laughable, to report that Yari was invited for refusing to pick the President’s call. This is the height of junk journalism. Yari knows why he was invited.

    “In fact, the Service denies all the allegations as they lack any factual basis or credibility. They are only figments of the creators’ imaginations”.

    It further reads: “If Yari or anyone else is to be invited or taken into custody, the Service will not hesitate to do so as far as that is procedurally done within the confines of the law. The Service will remain focused, resilient, patriotic and professional in the conduct of its affairs”.

  • ICPC opens up on possessing files implicating President Tinubu

    ICPC opens up on possessing files implicating President Tinubu

    The ICPC has dismissed a report that the Department of State Services carted away files implicating  President Bola Tinubu and close aides from its office.

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) dismissed the report in a statement by its Spokesperson Azuka Ogugua.

    She said that the report was fake and baseless, adding that ICPC never had such files in any of its offices across the country.

    “The Commission hereby state unequivocally that there were no files implicating President Bola Tinubu or his close aides at its headquarters or offices across the states.

    “And, therefore, the alleged carting away of such imaginary files is unfounded and should be disregarded by the public,” Ogugua stated.

    She said, while the commission did not dispute the role of the media to inform the public, it was however necessary to adhere to the tenets of the journalism profession in the discharge of such role.

    According to her, for the umpteenth time, the Commission wishes to urge media organisations not to allow the use of their medium to propagate lies and unfounded reports by subversive agents.

    “The Commission’s channels of communications remain open for clarification and confirmation, ” she said.

  • ICPC exposes corruption in World Bank loans, criticises ranking

    ICPC exposes corruption in World Bank loans, criticises ranking

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has raised alarm over potential corruption within grants received from the World Bank.

    During a recent meeting with a delegation from the Economic and Organised Crime Office of Ghana, the ICPC Chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye, alleged that corruption within these grants often goes unaddressed due to political considerations, making it difficult to hold accountable those responsible.

    He further emphasized that developing countries face significant challenges within the international ecosystem, as it is not designed to facilitate their progress despite their best efforts.

    “We have to understand as developing countries that the political economy of the international ecosystem is not designed for us to progress no matter how hard we try.

    “It is enlightened self-interest. For example, Nigeria borrowed one billion dollars in 1978. As at 2006, when we had the write-off, Nigeria was owing 32 billion dollars and it is designed in that way because of their rules of engagement and dispute resolution. The rule uses the IMF and the World Bank to whip you into line when you want to challenge the debt.

    “How many countries have taken the World Bank to court? Does it not have failed loans? Many of the loans the World Bank grants are marred in corruption but nobody has the courage to take them to court because those issues are usually politically determined,” Owasanoye said.

    He further suggested that the rules of engagement and dispute resolution employed by the IMF and the World Bank can hinder countries’ attempts to challenge their debt burdens.

    Regarding the corruption perception of developing countries in international surveys, The ICPC Chairman cautioned against relying solely on such reports.

    He noted that these surveys may not be impartial and argued for the creation of a platform where developing countries can voice their perspectives rather than being driven by the outcomes of external reports.

    He criticized the use of perception surveys to compare experiences, highlighting the disparity between countries losing assets and those receiving stolen properties.

    Owasanoye called for a more comprehensive approach that includes a home-grown survey to gather and publish data from the local context, providing a basis for informed discussions and challenging preconceived notions.

    “In developing countries, we are driven by the outcomes and report of international surveys. International surveys are not innocent, and it is naïve to think they are otherwise.

    “If you do not create a system where your voice is heard, a kind of platform where you say your own and refuse to be driven by the outcome of those reports, you will continue to be apologetic.

    “Is it not strange that Transparency International will rank countries that are losing assets as more corrupt than the countries receiving the stolen properties?” he queried.

    The ICPC Chairman emphasised the need for developing countries to adopt a proactive and independent approach in addressing corruption issues.