Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, has stressed the need for members of the African Asset Recovery Practitioners’ Forum (AARP-F) to pursue their charter’s objectives by advancing efforts at asset tracking and repatriation towards achieving Africa’s development goals.

Aliyu spoke shortly after he was elected the chairperson of the AARP-F by the interim council members of the forum, comprising representatives from African regional blocs, ARINs, and AAACA, in an election held in Arusha, Tanzania, on November 6, 2024.

The ICPC boss outlined the charter’s two primary goals: strengthening regional and international systems and monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR), saying realising the objectives required close collaboration among forum members and their respective domestic ministries.

He explained that such collaboration would help to dismantle the legal barriers between African nations and facilitate a united front to secure the continent’s financial integrity.

The ICPC boss further emphasised the need for a robust Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) framework under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to engage international recipients of illicit financial flows (IFFs).

According to him, the framework would encourage recipients to return assets that do not belong to them, whether held intentionally or unintentionally.

Aliyu stressed that strengthening existing legal frameworks was crucial to improving the efficiency of African criminal justice systems and overcoming procedural obstacles that hinder CAPAR’s objectives.

He noted that legal technicalities remained a significant challenge for prosecuting corruption in many African countries.

The ICPC chairman also highlighted the expertise within the forum’s diverse membership as a critical resource for overcoming the barriers limiting Africa’s progress.

Beyond financial recovery, he stated that AARP’s vision extends to reclaiming Africa’s cultural heritage, including artworks, artefacts, and all items significant to the continent’s identity.