ICPC vows to enforce Apex Court verdict on LG Autonomy, urges NASS to implement whistle-blower bill

ICPC vows to enforce Apex Court verdict on LG Autonomy, urges NASS to implement whistle-blower bill

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu, has vowed to ensure strict enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment on Local Government Autonomy. 

Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), made the statement on Thursday, at a One-Day National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC) Members Hybrid Interactive Forum in Abuja.

Recall that the Supreme Court had granted financial autonomy to all local government councils across the country on July 11. 

In his remarks, Aliyu warned those plotting against the law to check his records, saying that ICPC would impose compliance at all cost.

“Local governments must be governed by democratically elected people from the grassroots. You need to ensure that those that are going to be elected are people that have us in their mind; people that will discharge their responsibilities effectively in a responsible way.

”Not people that will divert public funds, and ICPC, as a commission, we will ensure that we impose compliance no matter what.” Aliyu noted.

Expressing his confidence in God, the ICPC Boss said he’s ready to lead the fight to protect the integrity of the court.

”We have to protect the integrity of our courts. I will not stand by and watch some people dismantle it. Not during my time. They can do it if I am not here, but not while I am here. I am not scared. I am determined.

”I will protect the integrity of the court. I will lead the fight. I put my trust in God. Nobody can do anything to me except God allows it,” he said

Aliyu also called on the National Assembly to pass the Whistle Blowing Act, saying that it was crucial to protect whistleblowers who report corruption. 

“We need a whistleblowing platform, but we cannot have that without legislation. That’s why I want to use this opportunity again to call on the National Assembly to help this country in passing the whistle blowing Act. 

“That will give people confidence to come out and tell us what is happening because we have a system, people will not come out because they are afraid that they can be victimized. So if we really want to fight this corruption, we need to encourage people. Without this, people will not be able to speak up because of the backlash,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Mr. Muhuyi Magaji, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in fighting corruption. “Fighting corruption is not for us at the government level alone,” he said. “It needs the involvement of all citizens.”

The Acting Director, Public Enlightenment and Education, ICPC, Mr. Demola Bakare, also urged participants to fight corruption without sentiment and to have a deep knowledge of the ICPC Act to discharge their responsibility effectively.