FIRS Inaugurates Anti-Corruption Unit to Enforce Zero Tolerance Policy
By Patience Ikpeme
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has established a 12-member Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) with the mission of eradicating corruption and unethical practices within the agency.
The unit, inaugurated at the Revenue House in Abuja by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday, is expected to work closely with anti-graft agencies to uphold integrity within FIRS.
During the inauguration, Adedeji, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Koleosho, emphasized the importance of integrity in the fight against corruption. He challenged the new members of the unit to adhere strictly to the agency’s core values and to be exemplars of transparency. “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands,” Adedeji remarked, underscoring the expectation that the ACTU members must themselves be beyond reproach in their duties.
A statement released by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, further elaborated on the expectations from the unit. Adedeji highlighted that the task ahead requires a steadfast commitment to integrity and transparency, not just within the unit, but also in its interactions with the wider public and taxpayers.
The inauguration event also saw strong backing from FIRS leadership and the ICPC. Mohammed Lawal Abubakar, Coordinating Director of the Support Services Group at FIRS, assured that the agency would continue to support the anti-corruption unit, urging its members to be models of honesty and integrity. He stressed that FIRS is committed to providing the necessary resources, including a conducive environment and adequate funding, to ensure the unit’s success.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, represented by Mr. Olusegun Adigun, Director of System Study and Review at ICPC, reinforced the support of the anti-graft body for the ACTU. He outlined the unit’s key responsibilities, which include: periodic sensitization of staff on the dangers of corruptio; examination of systems and processes vulnerable to corruption, and recommending solutions; developing and reviewing the code of ethics for staff, ensuring compliance; monitoring the FIRS budget and its implementation; coordinating the deployment of ethics and integrity scorecards and conducting preliminary investigations into complaints and reports.
Aliyu clarified that the ACTU is not intended to function as a parallel authority to FIRS management but rather as a complementary unit that works alongside management to enhance the agency’s reputation. He called on FIRS to incorporate ACTU members into various standing committees as required by the Federal Government’s directives.
The Director of the ACTU, Hajia Sa’adatu Yero, commended Adedeji for his commitment to strengthening the anti-corruption framework within FIRS. Yero pointed out that the unit has already made significant strides, including effective collaboration with internal and external stakeholders like the ICPC, Nigerian Police Force, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Yero also highlighted the unit’s impressive performance, noting that it was rated among the best in the country, scoring 79.95% in the 2022 Ethics and Integrity Scorecard survey. She credited this success to the Executive Chairman’s decision to appoint a Director to lead the ACTU, ensuring that all aspects of the anti-corruption activities within the Service are effectively overseen.
In her remarks, Yero underscored the critical role of ACTU in preventing corrupt practices within FIRS through the implementation of robust anti-corruption measures. She affirmed that the unit would continue to strive for the highest standards of integrity and transparency in all operations, working diligently to eliminate unethical practices that could compromise the agency’s mission.
