ICPC laments risks in probing high profile cases

• Says external influences frustrating investigations

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, has informed the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes that the commission’s personnel involved in high-profiled investigations are facing high security risks.

Aliyu spoke in Abuja while presenting the commission’s performance scorecard over the past year to the Senate Committee. He stressed the need to provide them with adequate security similar to those granted to other agencies.

The ICPC boss also mentioned the difficulties posed by cases involving politically-exposed persons, where external influences could challenge the impartiality and integrity of investigations.

He said: “ICPC personnel face security risks, especially during high-stake investigations, making it critical to provide them with adequate security measures similar to those granted to other agencies.”

He highlighted the commission’s achievements in strengthening its capabilities in the fight against corruption and advancing policy research, despite limited budgetary resources and reliance on international donor support.

“Currently, we have 21 state offices, but they are severely understaffed and under-resourced, which affects our efficiency nationwide,” he said. Reeling out assets and cash recovered within the period by the commission, Aliyu said: “In 2023, the ICPC received 1,187 petitions, assigned 275 cases for investigation, filed 63 cases in court, and secured 18 convictions.

“From January to October 2024, we received 851 petitions, assigned 243 cases, and secured 13 convictions.”

Discussing the challenges facing the commission, Aliyu identified inadequate funding as a major constraint affecting the commission’s ability to pursue investigations, legal proceedings and public education efforts.

ICPC Chairman also highlighted legislative limitations requiring amendments to the ICPC Act, along with staffing and welfare needs, as areas in urgent need of attention, stressing the urgent need for the Senate Committee to address all the challenges listed.

He said: “Our work requires diverse expertise, from forensic analysis to psychology, yet rising living costs make it increasingly difficult to maintain high morale among staff. Reviewing salaries and welfare benefits is essential for sustainable productivity.”

Aliyu further noted the slow pace of court processes as a significant challenge hampering swift resolution of corruption cases and undermining public trust in anti-corruption efforts.

He also alluded to the fact that the ICPC made recoveries as contained in the report submitted to the visiting NASS members, and that the commission was making impact at international levels, citing elections into vital organs of GloBE Network and AARP-F.

In response, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Emmanuel Udende, commended the ICPC for its high standards of professionalism in the fight against corruption.

Udende praised the Commission’s thorough and diligent investigations and expressed the National Assembly’s intent to address the issues raised, especially regarding the ICPC’s inability to access the two per cent of recoveries designated under the 2022 Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

AT another event, Aliyu advised heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to always double check financial documents brought before them by public officials before appending their signatures.

Aliyu, who offered the advice, yesterday, in Abuja during an anti-corruption training on behavioral change for chief executives of public agencies, informed them that they would account for every funds made available to them during their time in office.

The event was put together by the Anti-corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), the training and research arm of the ICPC, with support from the MacArthur Foundation.

Noting that the havoc corruption had done to the public service and the nation at large could not be quantified, he said t the ICPC recognised the importance of leadership in ensuring that corruption was diminished in public sector.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, lamented increasing complex cases of money laundering, particularly relating to drug trafficking, fraud and corruption, saying the unit had increased the number of money laundering cases it was initiating for prosecution.