ICPC Secures 16 Convictions, Tracks 1,500 Projects Worth N610bn in One Year

ICPC Secures 16 Convictions, Tracks 1,500 Projects Worth N610bn in One Year

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has made significant strides in its fight against corruption, tracking 1,500 projects valued at N610 billion and securing 16 convictions within the past year.

This remarkable progress was disclosed by ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, during his speech titled “The ICPC and The Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria: An Account of My One Year in Office,” delivered on Tuesday at the ICPC Auditorium in Abuja.

Reflecting on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Aliyu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Commission and emphasized the importance of collective effort in achieving notable successes.

“I emphasized that with the collective support and dedication of the management and staff, the Commission would undoubtedly achieve remarkable successes in the fight against corruption,” he stated.

Celebrating the progress made since then, he highlighted key outcomes achieved within the year, underscoring the Commission’s unwavering commitment to integrity.

Among the ICPC’s accomplishments, the tracking of 1,500 projects worth N610 billion through the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI) stands out.

According to Dr. Aliyu, this effort aims to ensure accountability in government allocations and provide tangible benefits to citizens. “The report of the Phase 6 exercise conducted about this same time last year is ready and will be released to the public today,” he noted.

In terms of financial recoveries, the ICPC successfully recouped over ₦29.7 billion in cash, along with significant sums from VAT and COVID-19 vaccine funds, underscoring a robust fiscal management initiative.

“The Government continues to ensure that resources are properly utilized for the benefit of Nigerians,” he elaborated.

The ICPC also made strides in legal enforcement, securing 16 convictions from the 851 petitions processed, with ongoing efforts to expedite the prosecution of cases. Dr. Aliyu stated, “We are streamlining our processes to ensure faster and more effective prosecution of cases, leading to the resuscitation of 10-15-year-old cases in courts.” This legal diligence showcases the ICPC’s commitment to promoting justice and fairness within the nation’s judicial landscape.

In a bid to engage various sectors of society, the Commission conducted public awareness activities that reached over 1.4 million Nigerians, highlighting the importance of community participation in the fight against corruption. Dr. Aliyu proudly stated, “Together, we can co-create a corruption-free Nigeria!” reinforcing his persistent call for unity in combating corrupt practices across all levels.

The ICPC’s academic initiatives also saw a significant overhaul, developing a specialized training curriculum for officers while establishing 80 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) further cements the Commission’s resolve in promoting ethical governance. “To enhance our operational capacity, the Commission has taken significant steps to strengthen its Armed Squad, providing training and resources necessary for combating corruption,” Dr. Aliyu added.

However, with recognition of the journey ahead, he emphasized future directions, including improving efficiency and public engagement, alongside a focused application of technology in tackling corruption.

“Our strategy will neither be controversial nor adversarial but will actively dispossess the corrupt of their illegal wealth and fraudulent assets for public use,” he clarified.

Africa Needs Bold Reforms to Tackle Corruption—Kaifala

In his keynote address at the event, the Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone, Francis Ben Kaifala, articulated a bold vision for combating corruption across the continent. He emphasized that for Africa to effectively win its fight against corruption, it (corruption) must be transformed into a high-risk and low-return venture.

“People must not be allowed to benefit from corruption. Until that is done, citizens won’t see reason to desist from it. “Corruption is not risky enough, so people can decide to buy it. If you can steal one billion dollars and you are sentenced to pay fifty thousand dollars, why wouldn’t you steal one billion dollars and pay a fraction of it?,” Kaifala queried.

Kaifala’s therefore highlighted the critical role of judicial systems in the fight against corruption.

“Part of the reason we find it difficult to succeed is because the judges, who are supposed to be the teeth of the fight against corruption, are not providing enough bite. They let go of criminals, and we have left the institutions that fight corruption as if they are the only ones who can impose sentences. Often, they find minor objections—issues that our investigators may have overlooked—even in the face of direct evidence of wrongdoing.”

He further elaborated on the challenges faced by anti-corruption institutions, stating, “This is because corruption is not made expensive enough. It is neither a high-risk nor a low-return venture, and for it to become so, asset recovery must be at the heart of our efforts.”

Kaifala therefore called for increased support for anti-corruption institutions and leaders across Africa.

“We have to be daring, very daring, to think outside the box and introduce policies and principles based on common sense—based on the corruption culture in our countries,” he urged. “What works somewhere else does not necessarily mean it will work here. By considering the cultures and practices of our respective countries and introducing policies that resonate with those realities, I believe Africa will be better prepared to confront the 21st century and emerge victorious in the fight against corruption.”