The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced the recovery of assets and cash worth N105.82 billion and the securing of 31 convictions between 2023 and 2024.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed this during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, led by its Chairman, Hon. Kayode Akiolu, on Wednesday.
Providing a breakdown, Aliyu revealed that the Commission received 2,038 petitions within the period, with 1,187 cases recorded in 2023 and 851 cases between January and October 2024. The agency secured 18 convictions in 2023 and an additional 13 convictions so far in 2024.
In terms of asset and cash recovery, the ICPC recovered N76.75 billion in 2023 and N29.07 billion in 2024. Aliyu highlighted these achievements as milestones in the Commission’s anti-corruption efforts.
Aliyu emphasized the ICPC’s collaborative approach with domestic and international stakeholders in combating corruption. He noted that the Commission represented Nigeria at the Global Network meeting, earning a seat on the steering committee alongside countries like Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil.
The chairman also shared his recent election as the Chairman of the African Asset Recovery Practitioners’ Forum (AARP-F), underscoring the ICPC’s growing influence in the global fight against corruption.
Despite these achievements, Aliyu pointed out that the Commission’s effectiveness is hindered by insufficient budgetary allocations. He called on the National Assembly to advocate for increased funding and amendments to the ICPC Act to enhance the Commission’s mandate.
He further urged the lawmakers to address overlapping responsibilities among anti-corruption agencies and to facilitate the ICPC’s access to the 2% of recovered funds stipulated under the Proceed of Crime Act.
“There is 2% of what we recover which we are entitled to. We cannot get that 2% without your input because the President has the power to approve, but it must be ratified by the National Assembly,” Aliyu explained.
The welfare of ICPC staff was another pressing issue raised by the chairman. “You cannot fight corruption whereby those who are the foot soldiers are having a crisis of taking care of themselves and their families. It’s a risk to the Commission,” he added.
In his response, Hon. Kayode Akiolu commended the ICPC’s efforts, particularly its preventive approach to fighting corruption. “Prevention is better than prosecution,” he said, acknowledging the Commission’s role in raising public awareness about corruption.
As part of the oversight visit, Akiolu requested to inspect the ICPC detention cells to assess suspects’ living conditions and the duration of their detention before arraignment.
The visit also formed part of the legislators’ preparations for the 2025 budget presentation. Akiolu assured the Commission of the Committee’s support in addressing its operational challenges and enhancing its capacity to combat corruption.
The ICPC’s achievements, coupled with its calls for better funding and legislative backing, highlight the critical role of cooperation between anti-corruption agencies and lawmakers in strengthening Nigeria’s anti-graft war.
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