The new leadership of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Wednesday said the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration would not hesitate to sanction anyone involved in corruption.
The ICPC chair, Mr Musa Aliyu (SAN), said this in Abuja while answering questions from journalists.
Until his appointment, Aliyu was the Jigawa state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
Aliyu assumed office as the fifth substantive chairman of the anti-graft body December 2023.
Answering reporters’ questions on what would be his action if President Tinubu ordered him to leave out a corruption case, Aliyu said the president’s “actions in the last 72 hours leave no one in doubt about the government’s renewed hope agenda in tackling corruption.”
Aliyu’s response came against the backdrop of the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu over alleged malfeasance.
…Aliyu for courtroom battle
Briefing journalists on how he hoped to lead the fight against corruption, the new ICPC boss said: “I intend to personally go to court and announce an appearance in some of our cases.”
Speaking further, Aliyu said: “Our threefold strategy – Prevention, Investigation, and Prosecution – forms the bedrock of our action plan against corruption.
“The ICPC is committed to integrating innovative approaches and cutting-edge technology into our operational framework. From leveraging data analytics for efficient resource management to employing advanced digital tools for effective corruption detection, technology will be at the forefront of our strategies.”
“I am deeply committed to realizing a vision for Nigeria where the principles of integrity, accountability, and transparency are not mere ideals but are deeply woven into the very fabric of our society.
“This vision aligns seamlessly with the resolute stance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration against corruption. The President’s actions and policies underscore a steadfast commitment to eradicating corruption, reinforcing our collective resolve to foster an environment where ethical conduct and probity are the norm,” he said.
…Collaboration
While calling on the media support in the fight against corruption, he said “the fight against corruption demands a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach, transcending the capabilities of any single entity.”
“As the new Chairman of the ICPC, a key focus of my tenure will be to foster such collaboration, recognizing that corruption’s multifaceted nature affects every level of society,” he further added.
The former attorney general further spoke of his plan to deploy some strategies, some of which he said, involve engaging different stakeholders like the media, civil society, the private sector, and international partners to fight the menace.
The silk also told journalists of his recent engagements with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), just as he vowed to partner the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and related bodies, to deliver on the ICPC’s mandate.
… Accord Party lauds Tinubu on governance cost
Meanwhile, the Accord Party has commended President Tinubu’s directive to slash the costs of governance, saying this would save Nigerian economy and give hope to the masses.
The Lagos state chairman of the party, Mr Dele Oladeji said this Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Oladeji said slashing the number of officials accompanying the president and other top government officials on foreign and local trips was commendable.
According to him, the president’s directive was long overdue “but it will save the economy and give hope to the masses. The major problem facing the nation is high cost of governance.”
“The slash on number of entourage and estacode cost is a welcome development. Nigeria needs to cut a lot of costs on frivolous practices.
“While we support Mr President on this, we want more to be done to reduce costs of governance for the ordinary Nigerians to breathe,” Oladeji said.
NAN recalled that the presidential spokesperson, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, Tuesday announced that the step was part of Tinubu’s “massive cost-cutting measures.”
Ngelale said the cost-cutting exercise affects the entire apparatus of the federal government including the office of the President, vice president and the first lady.
“According to the new policy, the President directed that local security agencies should be used for his protection whenever he travels to any state instead of traveling with a high number of security details from Abuja.
“He also stated that the same measure should be adopted for both Vice President Kashim Shettima and First Lady, Remi Tinubu.
“Tinubu said that when any international travel was being approved, all ministers were limited to four members of their staff, appointees and the like.’’
The president’s spokesperson said henceforth, heads of government agencies would be limited to two only two members of staff on any trip.
Giving a further breakdown, Mr Ngelale said for any international trip, Tinubu had directed that no more than 20 individuals will be allowed to travel with him.
Ngelale said: “That number will be cut down to five in the case of the First Lady.
“The number in the entourage on official international trips for the Vice President will be cut to five, the number that will be placed as a limit on the wife of the Vice President is also five.
In terms of local trips, Ngelale said the president had “approved a new limit of 25 members of staff to accompany him on domestic trips within the country.
“The Office of the First Lady is now limited to 10 staff members to accompany her on official trips within the country.
“The Vice President will be limited to 15 members of staff on official trips within the country, while his wife will be limited to 10 members of staff.”