Lawmakers Seek Higher Funding for ICPC After Massive Recoveries

Lawmakers Seek Higher Funding for ICPC After Massive Recoveries

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The House of Representatives has called for increased funding for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission following the agency’s recovery of N33.16 billion and $1.8 million on a N2.8 billion allocation.

The demand was made on Friday during the ICPC’s defence of its 2026 budget proposal before the House Committee on Anti-Corruption. Lawmakers described the Commission’s performance as commendable, especially in the face of what they termed inadequate funding.

Members of the committee questioned the logic of underfunding an anti-corruption agency charged with combating corruption nationwide, warning that such financial constraints could weaken operations and expose personnel to risks.

Rt. Hon. Kayode Akiolu commended the ICPC and its Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, describing the agency’s methods as consistent with international best practices. He praised the leadership for maintaining strong standards in law enforcement.

Hon. Abdulmaleek Abdulraheem, representing Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency of Kogi State, highlighted what he called the Commission’s impressive return on investment.

“You only got N2.8 billion last year, yet you were able to recover N33.16 billion and 1.8 million dollars, alongside numerous convictions,” Abdulraheem said.

“There are agencies that are heavily funded but return nothing to the coffers of the Federal Government. As a committee, we must do something for the ICPC. They deserve commendation, and we must also scrutinize their appropriation. Whatever was deducted from their 2026 budget should be refunded. If they cannot be given more than what was approved in 2025, they should not go below that figure.”

He cautioned that persistent underfunding could create vulnerabilities within the Commission and compromise the integrity of its operations.

Other committee members supported proposals that would allow the ICPC to retain a percentage of its recovered funds to support operational and administrative activities.

Dr. Aliyu Mustapha Abdullahi, representing Ikara/Kubau Federal Constituency, said, “We, as a committee, must push for an arrangement that allows the Commission to retain a certain percentage of its recoveries, just as the Nigeria Customs Service, NNPC, and other agencies do, in order to enhance efficiency and reduce reliance on unpredictable budgetary allocations.”

Earlier in his presentation, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, appealed to the National Assembly for improved funding to enable the Commission effectively discharge its mandate.

He disclosed that out of the N7.82 billion approved for overhead costs in 2025, only N2.1 billion, about 28 per cent, was released. He further revealed that only N400.49 million, about five per cent of the N7.3 billion approved for capital expenditure, was disbursed, and that the release came late in November.

“Our lawyers and investigators often had to deploy personal funds to attend court proceedings and conduct investigations due to limited operational vehicles,” Aliyu said. “Several investigations were stalled, and we experienced difficulties in paying service providers, particularly for our rented state offices.”

Despite the funding challenges, the ICPC recorded notable achievements within the review period. The Commission recovered N33.1 billion in cash and $1.8 million, filed 72 cases, secured 36 convictions, and is currently prosecuting about 400 cases across various courts nationwide.

The Commission also received 1,107 petitions, assigned 700 for investigation, and concluded 150 inquiries. Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecards were deployed across 344 Ministries, Departments and Agencies, while 131 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units were inaugurated nationwide.

Dr. Aliyu expressed concern over proposed cuts to the Commission’s 2026 budget, including reductions of N4.7 billion from overhead costs and N2.2 billion from capital expenditure. He warned that such cuts could adversely affect the Commission’s operations.

He assured lawmakers that the ICPC would continue to exercise fiscal discipline and prudent management of resources if provided with improved funding.

The ICPC management had earlier appeared before the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption to defend its 2026 budget proposal, where assurances were given that efforts would be made to engage the Senate Committee on Appropriation to consider enhancing the Commission’s allocation.