The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, called on the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the Whistleblower Bill, emphasizing its critical role in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Speaking at the ICPC Roundtable Engagement with State Attorneys General in the North West, held in Kano on Monday, Dr. Aliyu stressed the importance of creating a legal framework that encourages citizens to report corrupt practices confidently.
“Let me use this occasion to call on the National Assembly to pass the Whistleblower Bill into law so that those wishing to expose corrupt practices will have the confidence to do so,” he said.
Dr. Aliyu also urged Nigerians to reject and resist bribery demands from public officials, emphasizing the collective responsibility required to address corruption.
“No single individual or government can fight corruption alone; we need to come together to tackle this issue,” he noted.
“ICPC, as an agency responsible for fighting corruption, will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to combat the issue within the bounds of the law,” he continued.
The ICPC Chairman appealed to Attorneys General in the North West region to partner with the commission to enhance accountability and transparency systems that benefit the public.
He highlighted the role of local knowledge in supporting the ICPC’s mandate under Section 6 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act, which empowers the agency to investigate and prosecute corruption in all public service sectors.
Dr. Aliyu described the meeting as a vital step toward uniting efforts against corruption, underscoring its importance for Nigeria’s development.
“No country can thrive where corruption thrives,” he stated.
Despite challenges, Dr. Aliyu noted progress in combating corruption.
According to him, 70% of Nigerians approached for bribes in 2023 refused on at least one occasion, with the North West recording a 76% bribery resistance rate, the highest among the country’s geopolitical zones.
“As stakeholders, we must continue to encourage the people of the North West and Nigeria at large to resist bribery demands,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Justice Muhammad Lawal Shu’aibu, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, urged anti-graft agencies to intensify their efforts in tackling corruption in all its forms.
The roundtable brought together key stakeholders to strategize on strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms, reaffirming the need for a united front to secure Nigeria’s prosperity.
