The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, has stated that to ensure the success of the fight against corruption in the country, the National Assembly should immediately pass the Whistleblower Bill.
Making the call during the ICPC Roundtable Engagement with State Attorneys General in the North West on Strengthening ICPC’s Capacity for Corruption Prevention, held on Monday in Kano, he stressed that passing the bill was necessary to encourage those wishing to expose corrupt practices and perpetrators of such illegal acts.
He called on the National Assembly to pass the Whistleblower Bill into law so that those wishing to expose corrupt practices will have the confidence to do so.
Aliyu also called on Nigerians to reject and resist bribery demands from public officials, saying that where possible, they should report such cases to the relevant authorities.
According to him, “No single individual or government can fight corruption alone; we need to come together to tackle this issue.
“ICPC, as an agency responsible for fighting corruption, will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to combat the issue within the bounds of the law.”
The ICPC chairman called on the Attorneys General in the North West to collaborate with ICPC to strengthen systems of accountability and transparency that serve the people, saying that under Section 6 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act, ICPC is empowered to investigate and prosecute corruption across all sectors of public service.
“Your support and local knowledge are vital to making this effort more effective,” he added.
According to Aliyu, the meeting that brought together key stakeholders at the sub-national level underscored the need for a united front in the fight against corruption.
He stressed that confronting corruption is critical to the prosperity of the nation as no country can thrive where corruption thrives.
Speaking further, Aliyu stated that bribery is most common in public utilities, law enforcement, and administrative services, pointing out that despite the challenges, the positive news is that 70 per cent of Nigerians approached for a bribe in 2023 refused on at least one occasion.
In the North West, he explained that 76 per cent of individuals who encountered bribery requests resisted, marking the highest refusal rate among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones and indicating growing resistance to bribery in the region.
As stakeholders, he stated that the Attorneys General must continue to encourage the people of the North West and Nigeria at large to resist bribery demands.
Justice Muhammad Lawal Shu’aibu, the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, in his remarks, appealed to the anti-graft agencies to intensify efforts in the fight against corruption in all its forms.
Corruption: ICPC chairman urges NASS to pass whistleblower bill