Nigeria: ICPC, CCB partner to improve MoU, move against corrupt officials in public sector

*The leadership of both the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Code of Conduct Bureau have agreed to work together in the aspects of training and  investigation in a move to combat endemic corruption in the public sector of the Nigerian economy

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As part of efforts at tackling endemic corruption in the Nigerian public sector, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has initiated a collaboration with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to strengthen ties and align efforts between the two anti-graft institutions in the country.

ConsumerConnect learnt both the ICPC and CCB agreed on the collaborative efforts against corruption in the public sector Thursday, January 11, 2024, when the ICPC Chairman, in the company of the Management team of the Commission, paid a courtesy visit on the Acting Chairman of CCB, Barrister Aliyu Murtala Kankia, in Abuja, FCT.

Speaking during the engagement, Aliyu stated that the visit was borne out of the desire of the Commission under his leadership to work with relevant stakeholders to achieve giant strides in the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda of fighting corruption in Nigeria.

The ICPC Chief also emphasised that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is earnestly committed to the fight against corruption.

According to Aliyu, the objective of such leadership commitment could be achieved only through collaboration and partnership with the CCB.

He, therefore, described the Bureau as “the most powerful and important anti-corruption agency” in Nigeria recognised and mentioned in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“The collaboration is in furtherance to consolidating and improving on an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies. “There are many things that both Agencies could do together to move this country,” stated he.

Aliyu further noted: “I know that there is an existing MoU between us, and we want to improve on it and harness resources within our reach to work efficiently for the common good and benefit of our nation.

“Whenever you need anything from us, please do not hesitate to reach out to us while we will also do so from our end.”

Responding to the ICPC team’s visit, Kankia, Acting Chairman of CCB, also affirmed that the visit was a step in the right direction as the fight against the menace of corruption required cooperation and understanding as displayed by the ICPC Chairman and his team.

He stated: “The visit signifies friendship, understanding and cooperation to come together to a common goal in the fight against corruption.

“CCB is the creation of the Constitution that speaks on giving and taking, conflict of Interest, asset declaration and assets verification.”

Kankia also disclosed the readiness of the Bureau to continue to forward relevant cases to ICPC as it had always done based on findings in carrying out their assignment on assets evaluation and assessments of public servants.

“You can rely on us. We have the tools that will help your work and as we have always done, we will share relevant information with you to help your work.

“CCB also categorises offences and forwards to appropriate anti-corruption agencies.,” he stated.

Kankia, therefore, urged the ICPC to work with the Bureau in the aspects of training, especially on investigation as that will equally help them in their work to combat corruption in the public sector of the Nigerian economy.