Backs UNODC’s Strategic Vision For Nigeria
Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, has warned that unabated corruption and illicit financial flows will threaten Africa’s ability to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He stated this at the launch of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s Strategic Vision for Nigeria 2030, yesterday, in Abuja by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

According to him, illicit and sometimes criminal consignment of resources to foreign jurisdictions negatively affect domestic resource mobilisation, as beneficiaries of corruption and enablers of illicit financial flows undermine governments and state institutions.

The UNODC had, in collaboration with government stakeholders, civil society and academia, private sector and development partners, developed the strategic vision to assist Nigeria to achieve her SDGs, as well as combat corruption, terrorism, as well as economic and financial crimes.

Owasanoye, who commended UNODC for the vision in his goodwill message, noted that it would strengthen crime prevention, enhance justice, address organised crime, ensure a balanced response to drugs and improve the rule of law.

He said: “The UNODC thematic areas are the global drug problem, organised crime, corruption and economic crime, terrorism, crime prevention and criminal justice. A strategic vision that addresses these thematic areas in the context of Nigeria is directly relevant to the mandate of the ICPC as outlined in Section 6 of the ICPC Act.

“I, therefore, commend the UNODC for the Strategic Vision for Nigeria 2030. The ICPC will continue to work with UNODC and other stakeholders in the justice sector to realise our shared vision of a crime-free society.”

He stated that the UNODC mission would provide more safety to Nigerians and Africans, government and institutions from drugs, crime, corruption, terrorism and illicit financial flows.

In his keynote address, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who was represented by the acting Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Benjamin Okolo, conveyed the government’s assurance in implementing the vision.

In her goodwill message, the Executive Director of UNODC, Mrs. Ghada Waly, emphasised the need to strengthen Nigerian laws to address drugs, economic and financial crimes, corruption and terrorism.