ICPC Recovers Nearly ₦40 Billion in One Year, Intensifies Anti-Corruption Efforts
By Patience Ikpeme
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has intensified its forfeiture and asset recovery efforts over the past year, resulting in the seizure of ₦29.700 billion in cash, now domiciled in ICPC recovery accounts.
This announcement coincided with the one-year anniversary of ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu’s tenure.
Dr. Aliyu detailed the Commission’s recoveries on Tuesday, revealing the recovery of ₦10.986 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT), which has been remitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Additionally, ₦10 billion in COVID-19 vaccine funds, originally intended for vaccine production, has been returned to the treasury.
Beyond cash seizures, the ICPC’s recoveries in the past year include assets forfeited to the tune of ₦2.5 billion and the retrieval of $966,900.83 in foreign currency (secured in the ICPC-CBN account balance brought forward).
The Commission also tracked 1,500 projects nationwide, valued at ₦610 billion, under the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI). “Upon completion of tracking fieldwork last week, follow-up activities are ongoing and the report is being collated. However, the report of the Phase 6 exercise conducted about this same time last year is ready and will be released to the public today,” Dr. Aliyu assured.
Regarding investigations, Dr. Aliyu reported that the ICPC processed 851 petitions, with 342 assigned for investigation, 95 fully investigated, 72 cases filed in court, and 16 convictions secured. “In this regard, we are streamlining our processes to ensure faster and more effective prosecution of cases, leading to the resuscitation of 10-15-year-old cases in courts,” he stated.
As part of its institutional development, the ICPC has developed specialized cadet officers training curriculum tailored for its officers, aligning with international best practices. The Commission has also intensified its efforts to combat sexual harassment and corruption in educational institutions and public offices. Dr. Aliyu emphasized the ICPC’s commitment to prosecuting offenders, reducing stigma, and empowering victims to report and participate in bringing perpetrators to justice.
To further promote institutional accountability, the ICPC assessed 323 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) through its Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS). The Commission also established 80 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) across MDAs to reinforce anti-corruption efforts. These initiatives have resulted in the prevention of public funds diversion to the tune of ₦5.882 billion. “The report of the EICS exercise conducted in the middle of this year is ready and will also be released to the media and the public,” Dr. Aliyu confirmed.
A key highlight of the event was a presentation by Sierra Leone’s Commissioner of Anti-Corruption Commission, Francis Ben Kaifala, who criticized judges as the weakest link in the anti-graft prosecution chain. “The judges who are supposed to be the teeth in the anti-graft [efforts] do not have teeth to bite,” he asserted. He noted that Sierra Leone’s anti-corruption laws were modeled after Nigeria’s and called for greater collaboration between the two nations.
In a goodwill message, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede stated that Nigeria’s progress hinges on effectively combating corruption. “It will be a tough battle, but it is winnable. We need to come together, work together to make an impact, not in silos. Henceforth, we will be working on inter-agency collaboration in which if the EFCC is handling a case, you need to bring the same case to ICPC, and the same thing for the EFCC,” he stated, underscoring the commitment to enhanced inter-agency cooperation.
