By Miriam Humbe
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to strengthen its fight against corruption through collaboration with the Chinese Police.
Demola Bakare, the Ag. Director, Public Enlightenment and Education/
Spokesperson for the Commission revealed this in a statement signed on Thursday.
This strategic partnership which aimed to leverage advanced technologies and expertise to combat various forms of corruption that plague both nations took place at the boardroom of the ICPC when the Representative of the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Hou Wen Yu, the Counsellor Police Attache paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the ICPC.
Chairman of the ICPC Dr. Adamu Musa Aliyu SAN stated that the ICPC was established in the year 2000, which has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, focusing on investigating and prosecuting corrupt practices across public and private sectors as well as prevention of corruption, public enlightenment and youth mobilization.
Aliyu said that ICPC’s collaboration with the Chinese Police underscored a commitment to utilizing innovative approaches in tackling corruption, recognizing the global nature of this pervasive issue.
He also pointed out that China, known for its robust technological advancements would bring a wealth of expertise in utilizing cutting-edge tools for law enforcement and surveillance.
The ICPC helmsman said that by joining forces with Chinese authorities, the ICPC sought to enhance its capabilities in gathering intelligence, conducting investigations, and prosecuting offenders involved in corrupt activities that cross international boundaries.
He further emphasized that technological innovation formed the cornerstone of the collaboration, with both entities expected to exchange knowledge and resources in areas such as data analysis, forensic investigation techniques, and digital surveillance.
Aliyu said that this exchange promised to equip the ICPC with state-of-the-art tools necessary to track illicit financial flows, identify corrupt practices, and hold perpetrators accountable.
Representative of the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Hou Wen Yu earlier said that the Chinese Police was the mother of law enforcement agencies in China.
Yu said that the partnership was not merely confined to technological exchange but also encompassed capacity building and training programs which aimed to empower ICPC officials with specialized skills and knowledge essential for effectively combating sophisticated forms of corruption that often involve complex networks and financial transactions.
Mr Yu also said that in addition to technological advancements, the collaboration emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing transnational corruption challenges.
He said that by fostering strong ties with Chinese law enforcement agencies, the ICPC strengthened its position within the global anti-corruption framework, promoting mutual understanding and shared strategies in combating corruption.
The Chinese envoy therefore invited the ICPC chairman to attend the fifth plenary meeting of the operational Network of Anti-Corruption law enforcement Authorities (GlobalE Network) scheduled to take place in Beijing China.
