ICPC Chair Seeks Stronger West African Alliance on Asset Recovery

ICPC Chair Seeks Stronger West African Alliance on Asset Recovery

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called for deeper regional collaboration in asset recovery across West Africa, stressing that only collective effort and mutual trust can curb the rising tide of illicit financial flows within the subregion.

Speaking at the 7th Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) held on Tuesday at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, Dr. Aliyu urged member states to strengthen cooperation mechanisms for tracing, recovering, and repatriating stolen assets.

Describing the theme of the assembly; “A United ECOWAS Against Corruption: Strengthening Regional Collaboration for Asset Recovery and Exchange of Information” as “both timely and urgent,” the ICPC boss said the fight against corruption must transcend national borders.

“Asset recovery is most effective when driven by regional and international cooperation anchored on mutual trust, legal reciprocity, and operational synergy among anti-corruption agencies,” Dr. Aliyu stated.

He noted that a harmonized approach among NACIWA member states would enhance the tracking of illicit assets and ensure that the collective wealth of the region serves its people rather than a few corrupt elites.

“A unified, harmonized regional approach will enable us to track illicit gains swiftly and prevent their reinvestment within the ECOWAS sub-region,” he added.

While highlighting the ICPC’s progress in both criminal and non-conviction-based forfeiture mechanisms that have led to significant recoveries, Dr. Aliyu warned that domestic efforts alone cannot stop illicit flows without stronger regional and global cooperation.

In his keynote address, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering support for ECOWAS and NACIWA’s anti-corruption agenda.

“Recovery of stolen assets is indeed at the core of the region’s fight against corruption,” President Tinubu said. “West Africa’s post-independence economic and political trajectory has been blighted by corruption manifesting in the theft and stashing of our commonwealth abroad by corrupt officials.”

He warned that illicit outflows, resource theft, and mineral smuggling continue to fuel insecurity and underdevelopment in the region.

“These challenges have worsened the security and development outlook of our region,” Tinubu cautioned, urging the General Assembly to create an inclusive framework that will strengthen anti-corruption efforts and promote sustainable growth.

Also speaking, EFCC Chairman and NACIWA President, Barr. Ola Olukayode, described the Annual General Assembly as a strategic platform for reflection and evaluation.

“It allows member states to assess progress, share experiences, and chart new directions for collaboration,” Olukayode noted.

The high-level meeting brought together heads of anti-corruption agencies, Attorneys-General, and senior delegates from across West Africa, including Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, among other dignitaries.