Dr. Adamu Aliyu SAN, the Chairperson of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has stated that corruption is the root cause of the current economic difficulties experienced by the country and its citizens. During a meeting at the Headquarters of the Commission on February 22, 2024, the Chairman of ICPC made this statement when members of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) paid a visit as a show of respect.
Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, standing in for Aliyu, expressed concern about the impact of corruption on Nigeria’s economy, highlighting the challenges the country was currently grappling with in terms of development due to this pervasive issue. His message to Nigerians was clear: patience is key as everyone needs to work together to reform the nation. He urged everyone to play their part in the ongoing transformation. The Chairman further emphasized the importance of Nigerians following certain policies.
Need to prioritize educating the public about corruption.
These policies will address the challenges encountered during the implementation of constituency and executive projects in order to uphold the enlightenment mandate of the Commission. One of the key messages he emphasized was the need to prioritize educating the public about corruption within organizations such as the CJID and individuals. He highlighted that a primary goal of the Commission is spreading awareness to the public. He also suggested that the CJID should utilize the Freedom of Information Act to obtain data from government bodies.
In case the agencies decline to share the requested information, he mentioned that CJID could resort to legal action by taking them to court. Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, the CEO of CJID and leader of the team, mentioned in his previous comments that the purpose of their visit was to enhance the current relationship between their organization and the ICPC. Additionally, they aimed to pinpoint ways in which they could support the Commission in monitoring constituency and executive projects.
Providing citizens with more information about CEPTI is crucial.
Olorunyomi highlighted the importance of increasing direct interaction with the public, stating that Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) cannot successfully combat corruption without the support and involvement of citizens. It was emphasized that providing citizens with more information about CEPTI was crucial, as the organization could play a valuable role in the tracking process with proper understanding. He mentioned that the Centre had encountered difficulties in obtaining data from certain MDAs and was optimistic that ICPC would be able to provide assistance in solving this issue.
The boss of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) expressed a readiness to introduce a media engagement platform to enhance the Commission’s operations and also provide access to worldwide database resources to support the investigative efforts of the Commission. Established on the recommendation of President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), also known as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, is a Nigerian agency that was inaugurated on September 29, 2000.
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Additionally, the goal is to handle reports of corruption by investigating and prosecuting those responsible when necessary. Additionally, the focus is on identifying and improving systems and procedures in public organizations that are susceptible to corrupt practices. The ultimate aim is to eradicate corruption in public institutions through education and raising awareness among the public about corruption and its associated crimes, in order to gain support for the battle against corruption. The activities of the committee are regulated by the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000.
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