ICPC raises panel to monitor coronavirus funds

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) has raised COVID-19 Funds Monitoring Team pursuant to Section 6 (b)-(d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa, who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, added that the panel had been charged to prevent possible financial abuses that might arise from the management of the special intervention funds for the novel coronavirus.

According to her, “the team will monitor the disbursement and utilisation of the funds, donations and other receipts mobilised towards combating the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country.”

She further revealed that the team would deploy strategy to check corrupt activities that could impact negatively on government efforts to deal effectively with the pandemic.

The anti-graft agency reiterated its commitment to help the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the funds.

Okoduwa added: “While the commission salutes all those in the frontline of battling the outbreak and everyone facilitating the national effort behind the scene, it hereby reiterates its earlier advisory to all actors in the management chain of the COVID-19 response to steer clear of all unethical and corrupt acts that could result in criminal investigation and consequences.”