ICPC Recovers N53bn and $966,900 in First Year Under New Chairman
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recovered over N53 billion and $966,900 in its first year under the chairmanship of Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.
Chairman Aliyu made this announcement during a presentation detailing his stewardship since being appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the presentation, the commission processed 851 petitions, assigning 342 for investigation. Of these, 95 were fully investigated, 72 cases were filed in court, and 16 convictions were secured.
The cash recoveries comprised N29.7 billion held in ICPC recovery accounts, N10.986 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT) recovered and remitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and N10 billion from the COVID-19 vaccine fund intended for vaccine production, which was remitted to the treasury. The commission also forfeited assets valued at N2.5 billion and recovered $966,900.83 in foreign currency.
The first anniversary event, held Tuesday at the commission’s auditorium, aimed to discuss the importance of asset recovery in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
In his speech, Dr. Aliyu expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the Commission as its fifth chairman. He emphasized that under his leadership, the ICPC has continued to adapt to evolving trends in executing its mandates, including equipping its workforce with digital strategies to combat corruption.
“The current administration’s anti-corruption agenda, along with my policy focus encapsulated in the acronym ‘CARE’ for impact, has further motivated the Commission to enhance its tools, approaches, and engagements. I am proud to reflect on the modest progress we have made and the challenges we have overcome thus far,” he stated.
Addressing the achievements recorded under his leadership, Dr. Aliyu reiterated the cash recoveries: ₦29.7 billion (in ICPC recovery accounts), ₦10.986 billion (VAT recovered and remitted to FIRS), N10 billion (COVID-19 vaccine fund remitted to the treasury), and asset forfeitures valued at N2.5 billion, alongside the recovery of $966,900.83 in foreign currency. He added that the Commission successfully tracked approximately 1,500 projects valued at N610 billion nationwide under the seventh phase of its Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), which concluded last week.
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Dr. Aliyu also highlighted the development of a specialized training curriculum for ICPC officers aligned with international best practices, detailing that the agency handled a total of 851 petitions, with 342 assigned for investigation and recorded 95 fully investigated cases.
“In the past year, the Commission has invested significantly in training and capacity building for our staff, enhancing the skills and expertise needed to combat corruption effectively. We have also strengthened our Armed Squad by equipping over 109 members with the necessary training and resources,” he explained.
On the Commission’s preventive initiatives, Dr. Aliyu noted that the ICPC assessed 323 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) through its Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS), establishing 80 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) across MDAs to bolster its efforts. He reported that the Commission successfully stopped the diversion of public funds amounting to ₦5.882 billion during these assessments and that the EICS report will be released to the public soon.
Discussing future directions and challenges, Dr. Aliyu affirmed the ICPC’s commitment to streamlining its processes for faster and more effective prosecution of cases, stating, “This will enhance the integrity of our operations and make them less prone to abuse.”
In his keynote address, Mr. Francis Ben Kaifala, Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Republic of Sierra Leone, emphasized the need for a reformed policy to make corruption a high-risk, low-return venture. He noted that corruption continues to threaten growth in sub-Saharan Africa, pushing many into extreme poverty. To combat these challenges, he advocated for a multi-pronged approach that combines public education, prevention, and enforcement.
Addressing the issues surrounding asset recovery, Mr. Kaifala, referencing a World Bank report, pointed out the lack of political will and legal impediments as key challenges. He stated, “The goal of recovering stolen funds is to ensure accountability for the corrupt while reclaiming resources for the state and its people. Thus, a robust and holistic asset recovery mechanism is essential, guided by legal frameworks and international best practices.”
The event also featured goodwill messages from distinguished guests, including Senator Emmanuel Udende, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption; Honourable Moshood Akiolu, Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption; and Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), among others.
By PRNigeria
