70% Of Nigerians Rejected Bribes In 2023, Says ICPC Chairman

The chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN),mhas revealed that 70 per cent of Nigerians refused to offer bribe on at least one occasion when approached in 2023.

Aliyu disclosed this in Kano during a conference with State Attorneys-General in the North-west zone, on strengthening ICPC’s capacity for corruption prevention.

The meeting, which was themed “Establishing a community of practice for Attorneys-General,” aimed at fostering a long-term partnership in building a united front against corruption in Nigeria.

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The ICPC boss expressed that the responsibility of fighting corruption in Nigeria should be left to the government or a particular agency alone.

He urged that all hands should be on deck in the fight against corruption, emphasising the need for transparency and partnership.

“No single arm of government or tier of government or agency can fight corruption because we need to come together locally, regionally and internationally for us to fight corruption. This is an opportunity to enhance our collaboration to ensure that we create a system of accountability and transparency in our dear country.

“In this regard, I call on the Attorneys-General of the North-West to collaborate closely with ICPC to fortify systems of accountability and transparency that serve the people.

“However, despite these challenges, the positive news is that 70 per cent of Nigerians approached for a bribe in 2023 refused to comply on at least one occasion. In the Northwest, 76 per cent of individuals who encountered bribery requests resisted the highest refusal rate among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, indicating growing resistance to bribery in the region,” he said.

Aliyu also highlighted that strengthening collective efforts was crucial to attaining long-lasting success in the fight against corruption.

“As stakeholders, we must continue to encourage the people of the North-West to resist bribery demands. As Chairman of the ICPC, I am committed to ensuring that the Commission uses its law enforcement powers and preventive measures which include enlist and foster public support in combating corruption in Nigeria within the confines of the law,” he added.

Kano State Chief Judge, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, lauded the ICPC’s proactive approach in prioritising preventive measures to mitigate corruption.

Aboki stated that while enforcement and prosecution are important, prevention was a more sustainable strategy that addresses the root causes of corruption.

“This approach aligns with the Judiciary’s role in interpreting laws that not only punish but also deter corrupt practice. We are well aware that no single entity can combat corruption in isolation. This is why the initiative to establish a community of practice among attorneys general is commendable, as it fosters collaboration, shared learning, and the harmonization of strategies across states.

“In this regard, the Kano State Judiciary has taken proactive measures to ensure that corruption is rooted out within its own system. Recognizing that the Judiciary must lead by example in upholding the rule of law, we established the Judicial Public Complaints Committee (JPCC), which has been instrumental in addressing grievances and promoting accountability. With a mandate to act independently in order to ensure transparency, the JPCC serves as a mechanism for investigating allegations of misconduct, abuse of power and corruption within the Judiciary,” she stated.