The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Adamu Aliyu, has announced that over ₦13b in diverted public funds was recovered by the commission in September 2024.
Aliyu said the Commission is putting in efforts to see that its anti-corruption mandate is fully fulfilled and said it will continue to do more, to ensure that the nation’s public institutions and individuals do not embezzle the nation’s general wealth.
The ICPC boss made this known on Tuesday, in Abuja, while speaking at the launch of the commission’s 2024-2028 strategic action plan.
Aliyu said, “Over the past year, the ICPC has made significant progress in discharging its mandate; for example, we recovered over ₦13 billion in diverted public funds in September 2024 alone. This is just one of the many ways we have worked tirelessly to fulfil our mandate.”
Aliyu said the commission intends to digitalise her operations, to enhance its efficiency, investigations and case management.
“We are also embarking on ICT reforms that will digitalise our operations and enable more efficient investigations, case management, and internal processes.
“This transformation will position the commission as a leader in leveraging technology to combat corruption, keeping us one step ahead of criminal activities in the digital age.
“Additionally, we are decentralising the anti-corruption effort by empowering state governments through the mobilisation of State Attorneys General.
“This approach ensures that state governments are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to effectively combat corruption at the local level,” Aliyu added.
Also speaking, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, reiterated the commitment of the present administration in the fight against corruption in the country.
He said, “The fight against corruption remains a cornerstone of this administration’s agenda, as we recognise that corruption is a cancer that eats away at the very fabric of our society. It undermines trust, weakens institutions, and hampers our progress as a nation.
“In this light, the work of the ICPC is of paramount importance, not only in ensuring that corrupt practices are identified and prosecuted but also in fostering a culture of integrity and accountability across all sectors.”
In her speech, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, commended the ICPC for their efforts and pledged the support of the court, to their action plan.
“Implementation and collaboration are vital. Corruption is not just about stealing money; it is failing to do what you ought to do. We are a great country. We will do what we can to support the ICPC in implementing the action plan,” she said.
N13b Diverted Public Funds Recovered In September – ICPC Boss is first published on The Whistler Newspaper