The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that a significant majority of corruption cases it investigates relate to the misappropriation of funds earmarked for critical sectors such as healthcare and infrastructure.
This revelation was made by the Chairman of ICPC, Musa Aliyu (SAN), during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.
Aliyu emphasized that the commission’s investigations have revealed alarming trends where over 60% of corruption cases at the local government level involve the diversion of public resources intended for vital projects.
Speaking at the event to introduce ICPC’s Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Governments (ACPP-LG), Aliyu underscored the urgency of addressing governance deficiencies and financial mismanagement plaguing Nigeria’s 774 local councils.
“Local governments play a crucial role in delivering essential public services, yet many have been hindered by weak transparency mechanisms and the misappropriation of funds,” Aliyu stated.
He highlighted the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming financial autonomy for local governments as a pivotal development, enabling greater accountability and autonomy in financial management.
Aliyu assured stakeholders of ICPC’s unwavering commitment to enforcing compliance with anti-corruption laws and promoting transparency in local government administration.
The ACPP-LG initiative aims to enhance financial management practices, governance standards, and proactive disclosure within local councils.
Key objectives include ensuring transparency, facilitating proactive disclosure of financial activities, enhancing citizen engagement, and training local officials on ethical governance practices.
The program also seeks to leverage technology for transparency, foster collaboration with development partners, establish monitoring mechanisms for governance performance, and encourage inclusive decision-making processes.
“To achieve these goals, ICPC will employ its investigative, prosecutorial, and regulatory functions to ensure compliance through legislative enforcement, periodic audits, and robust oversight mechanisms,” Aliyu affirmed.
He urged state governments to support local councils in implementing these reforms smoothly, emphasizing that accountability and effective governance are essential for sustainable development.
Aliyu reiterated ICPC’s commitment to prosecuting cases of fund diversion, emphasizing that offenders would face the full force of the law to safeguard public resources for developmental purposes.
“The ACPP-LG is not merely about governance reform; it is about justice, deterrence, and ensuring that every kobo allocated for development benefits the Nigerian people,” Aliyu concluded.
The initiative represents a crucial step towards combatting corruption at the grassroots level, aiming to secure a better future for Nigeria by ensuring transparent and accountable governance across local governments.
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