The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), has said that corruption in Nigeria goes beyond the act of stealing public funds, stressing that any violation of due process or established rules constitutes corruption.
Speaking at the 2025 National Summit of the Association of Chairmen of Local Government Service Commissions, themed “Strengthening Local Government Administration in Nigeria,” Aliyu, represented by his Special Assistant on Legal Matters, Zainab Nass, stated that corruption manifests in both public and private institutions across the country.
According to him, “Corruption is not just about stealing money; it is anything that deviates from the rule. It is corruption not to follow due process.”
The ICPC boss emphasized that integrity, transparency, and adherence to due process are critical in addressing corruption at all levels of government, particularly within the local government system.
He recalled that past anti-corruption efforts, including the Ethical Revolution, War Against Indiscipline, and MAMSER, lacked institutional continuity and legal backing. However, he described the establishment of the ICPC in 2000 as a major step toward providing a legal framework for the fight against corruption.
Aliyu outlined the commission’s three-pronged strategy of enforcement, prevention, and public education, citing initiatives such as Corruption Risk Assessments, System Studies, and the creation of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He added that the ICPC’s activities are aligned with global standards like the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations, and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.
Aliyu urged local government officials to uphold ethical conduct and warned that acts such as falsification of records, nepotism, and abuse of office would attract legal consequences under the country’s anti-corruption laws.
He also hailed the 2024 Supreme Court ruling in Attorney-General of the Federation v. Attorney-Generals of Abia State & 35 Others, which outlawed the dissolution of elected local councils by state governors, describing it as “a new dawn for grassroots governance.”
The ICPC chairman called for renewed commitment to accountability and effective use of public funds at the grassroots level, saying Nigeria’s development depends largely on how local governments manage resources for the benefit of citizens.
Daily Frontier is committed to being a trusted source of accurate and timely news, offering in-depth coverage of current affairs, emerging trends, and critical issues shaping today’s world
