Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called for stronger regional collaboration on asset recovery across West Africa.
Aliyu stressed the need for collective action, information sharing, and mutual trust among anti-corruption institutions in the subregion.
Dr. Aliyu made the call on Tuesday at the 7th Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), held at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja.
He described the Assembly’s theme, “A United ECOWAS Against Corruption: Strengthening Regional Collaboration for Asset Recovery and Exchange of Information,” as timely and urgent, urging member states to build robust cooperation mechanisms to effectively trace, recover, and repatriate stolen assets.
“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 emphasized that a unified and harmonized regional approach is essential to ensure that the region’s collective prosperity benefits its people, adding that such cooperation would enable West African countries to track illicit gains swiftly and prevent their reinvestment within the ECOWAS subregion.
While highlighting ICPC’s progress in criminal and non-conviction-based forfeiture mechanisms, which have led to several significant recoveries, Dr. Aliyu noted that domestic success alone cannot curb illicit financial flows without strong regional and global partnerships.
In his keynote address, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ECOWAS and NACIWA’s anti-corruption agenda.
He described asset recovery as a cornerstone of West Africa’s anti-corruption efforts and a necessary step toward reclaiming the region’s economic vitality.
“Recovery of stolen assets is at the core of the region’s fight against corruption. 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,” President Tinubu said.
He warned that illicit outflows, resource theft, and smuggling of mineral wealth continue to fuel insecurity, proliferation of small arms, kidnapping, and banditry, all of which undermine regional stability and development.
“These challenges have worsened the security and development outlook of our region,” he cautioned, urging the Assembly to design a new framework of inclusive action to strengthen anti-corruption efforts and promote sustainable growth.
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and President of NACIWA, Barr. Ola Olukayode, described the Annual General Assembly as a vital platform for reflection, evaluation, and strategic planning to deepen collaboration among member states.
In a statement, the Commission’s Director of Public Enlightenment and Education and spokesperson, Mr. Demola Bakare, noted that the 7th NACIWA Assembly brought together heads of anti-corruption agencies, Attorneys-General, and delegates from across the West African subregion, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, among other dignitaries.
