ASABA, DELTA STATE – Nigeria’s fight against corruption has received a fresh boost. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is doubling down on teamwork, especially at the regional level. This renewed commitment comes after a productive one-day conference with State Attorneys-General from the South-South geopolitical zone. The ICPC anti-corruption strategy is clear: collaboration is key.
Themed “Institutional Integrity and Regional Cooperation: The Role of Attorneys-General in Advancing a Corruption-Free South-South,” the pivotal meeting took place at the Spring Hill Hotel & Suites in Asaba. According to a Monday statement from ICPC Spokesperson Demola Bakare, the gathering was all about forging stronger alliances to enhance ICPC anti-corruption efforts.
United Front: What the ICPC Anti-Corruption Conference Agreed
The conference wasn’t just talk; it resulted in concrete plans to bolster the ICPC anti-corruption framework within the South-South region. Key agreements include:
- Closer Teamwork: Building stronger working relationships between the ICPC and State Attorneys-General.
- Prevention Power: Using their constitutional roles more effectively to prevent corruption before it happens.
- Skill Sharpening: Partnering on training programs to improve how corruption cases are investigated and prosecuted.
- Open Lines: Creating a system for sharing information more efficiently.
- Transparent Deals: Promoting openness in how public contracts are awarded.
- Stronger Laws: Reviewing current laws to make anti-corruption legislation even tougher.
A Shared Goal: Building a Nigeria Free from Corruption
Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, the Chairman of the ICPC, emphasized how crucial these state-level partnerships are. He highlighted that such collaborations are vital for the Commission’s primary goal: preventing corruption. This prevention-first approach is central to the ICPC anti-corruption mandate.
The ICPC’s statement aptly summarized the conference’s spirit: “This conference marks another strategic step in ICPC’s ongoing engagement with sub-national actors, underlining the shared responsibility of all levels of government in building a corruption-free Nigeria.”
By Abiodun Labi
