Ilorin: The Chairman of the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu, says the commission recovered more than N20 billion and other properties from corrupt individuals in 2024.
Aliyu said this on Monday in Ilorin during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a Conference of State Attorneys-General in the North-Central Zones.
The conference’s theme was “Strengthening Subnational Synergies for Corruption Prevention: Advancing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy in Nigeria’s North Central Region.”
Aliyu, who noted that corruption was not only at the federal level but also at the sub-nationals, said that
prevention was more strategic, less costly, and would help retain the country’s assets and resources.
“If we allow corruption, it becomes challenging to cure, especially the litigation processes.
“We all know that the judicial process in Nigeria is too slow because of many cases on the table, and that is why we should prevent corruption.
“But if it eventually happens, we will now go for enforcement, which is the investigation and probably prosecution,” he said.
The ICPC boss, however, said that the commission was ensuring that
assets taken outside the shores of Africa and recovered were not looted again.
“One of the strategies identified as a necessary tool for success in our shared pursuit of justice is the continuity and reassessment of our efforts in the fight against corruption as criminal trends evolve and national events unfold.
“This discussion is essential, especially as the country is undergoing significant judicial reforms and rapid legislative enhancements,” he said.
Aliyu, however, said that the commission would not relent in its fight against corruption in the country.
The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr Abdullahi Bello, declared the event open and said that corruption remained a significant obstacle to Nigeria’s progress.
Bello said that effective anti-corruption measures at the state level were critical to achieving national progress.
“Corruption remains a formidable obstacle to our nation’s progress, eroding public trust, undermining governance, and impeding development.
“Today’s engagement provides an essential platform for State Attorneys-General in the North-Central zone to share experiences, address challenges, and develop collective solutions to advance the National Anti-Corruption Strategy,” he said.
The CCB chairman said the bureau had introduced initiatives to enhance transparency and accountability among public servants.
He said the bureau was developing an online asset declaration system, offering a more efficient and modern platform for public officers to comply with the law.
Also, the Kwara Attorney-General,
Senior Sulyman called for more coordinated efforts to fight corruption.
Sulyman commended the ICPC for ensuring the country’s anti-corruption mandate while reiterating the state government’s commitment to zero corruption.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-corruption, Mr Kayode Akiolu, said that corruption was a national phenomenon that had prevented the country from delivering its national promises since independence.
Akiolu said the national assembly was committed to winning the battle against corruption, adding that the 10th assembly had ensured the adequate funding of anti-corruption agencies.
In his remarks, Sen. Emmanuel Udende, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-corruption, said attorneys general are the custodians of justice at state levels and must be heard.
Udende commended the ICPC for decentralising the fight against corruption, calling for unified action.
In his remarks, the State Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Adebara, said that joint efforts were needed to implement the five pillars of anti-corruption.
“The fight against corruption should not be punitive but preventive because it poses a threat to the rule of law,” he said.
Present at the conference were the Attorneys-General of Kogi, Plateau, Niger and Nasarawa states.