ICPC Chairman Reports Growing Resistance to Bribery Among Nigerians
Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has announced that approximately 70% of Nigerians approached for a bribe in 2023 rejected the offer at least once. He shared this statistic during a conference with State Attorneys-General from the North-West region held in Kano, which focused on enhancing the ICPC’s capacity for preventing corruption. Themed “Establishing a Community of Practice for Attorneys General,” the conference aimed to foster long-term partnerships in combating corruption across Nigeria. Dr. Aliyu emphasized the necessity of collective action, stating, “No single arm of government or agency can fight corruption... We need to come together locally, regionally, and internationally to create a system of accountability and transparency.” Highlighting the North-West's performance, Dr. Aliyu noted that 76% of individuals in the region who encountered bribery demands resisted, marking the highest refusal rate among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. “This indicates growing resistance to bribery in the region,” he remarked, urging the North-West Attorneys-General to collaborate closely with the ICPC to reinforce accountability systems that benefit the public. Dr. Aliyu also expressed his commitment to using the ICPC's law enforcement powers and preventive measures to combat corruption effectively, emphasizing the importance of public support in this fight. Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, the Chief Judge of Kano, commended the ICPC's proactive approach, highlighting that while enforcement and prosecution are crucial, preventive measures address the root causes of corruption. She praised the initiative to establish a community of practice among attorneys general, as it promotes collaboration and shared learning across states. Justice Aboki also outlined the steps taken by the Kano State Judiciary to ensure accountability, including the establishment of the Judicial Public Complaints Committee (JPCC), which investigates allegations of misconduct and corruption within the judiciary. Other notable attendees at the conference included the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, and various Attorneys-General from the region, all contributing to the vital dialogue on improving governance and combating corruption in Nigeria
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