By Miriam Humbe
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called on the Attorneys-General of Nigeria’s North-West zone to join forces with ICPC to enhance systems of accountability and transparency that benefit the public.
Demola Bakare, the Director, Public Enlightenment and Education/
Spokesperson for the ICPC disclosed this in a statement.
Dr. Aliyu made the appeal on Monday during a conference with State Attorneys-General in the North-West zone, focused on strengthening the ICPC’s capacity for preventing corruption.
Themed: Establishing a Community of Practice for Attorneys General” the conference was attended by attorneys general from Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina States as well as chairmen of state anti-corruption commissions of Kano, Jigawa, Katsina and Kaduna states.
The conference was held in Kano State.
He reminded attendees of the Supreme Court’s judgment in AG Ondo State v. AG Federation & 35 Ors (2002), which emphasized the shared responsibility of both State and Federal governments in combating corruption.
He said: “This presents an opportunity to enhance our collaboration, ensuring that the systems we create are accountable and transparent.”
He said the ICPC was empowered to investigate and prosecute corruption across all sectors of public service, adding that the support and local knowledge provided by the Attorneys-General are crucial for making the fight against corruption more effective.
He described the gathering as vital as it united key stakeholders at the subnational level to discuss the necessity of a united front against corruption.
The ICPC boss emphasized that addressing corruption was vital for the nation’s prosperity, as no country can thrive where corruption prevailed.
Dr. Aliyu referenced the 2023 report “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends” by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which indicated a significant prevalence of bribery in the North-West region.
He said that this trend was consistent with findings across Nigeria, particularly within public utilities, law enforcement and administrative services.
He urged stakeholders in the sector to continue encouraging the people of the North-West to resist demands for bribes, noting a positive development: 70% of Nigerians approached for a bribe in 2023 refused to comply at least once.
Justice Dije Aboki, Chief Judge of Kano State, said that the fight against corruption was not only a legal obligation but also a moral one, as corruption undermined governance, weakened institutions, and eroded public trust.
She commended the initiative to establish a community of Attorneys-General, which promoted collaboration, shared learning, and the harmonization of strategies across states.
She stressed that no single institution could combat corruption in isolation.
Justice Aboki assured that the Judiciary in Kano State remained a steadfast partner in this effort and was committed to upholding the rule of law, ensuring that justice serves as both a shield for the innocent and a weapon against the corrupt.
She also urged lawmakers to expedite the passage of the Whistle Blower Bill, which she believes will further support the fight against corruption.
Mr. Uche Immanuel, the representative of RoLAC, stated that following discussions with the Chairman of the Commission, it was decided to focus on the North-West region as a starting point.
He noted that the region is currently leading the charge in combating corruption and institutionalizing systems for transparency and accountability.
Mr. Immanuel emphasized that RoLAC advocates for an inclusive approach to the fight against corruption, asserting that this is the only way to make a meaningful difference.
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