ICPC Recovers N52b, $966,900.83 in One Year Says Chairman, Musa Aliyu

Alex Enumah in Abuja 

Over N52 billion and $966,900.83 and other assets have been recovered in the last one year by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, who made the disclosureattributed the significant milestone achievement to the steadfast commitment to the rule of law.

He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at an event marking his one-year anniversary as the chairman of ICPC. 

The ICPC boss also tied the success of the commission to adaptation to evolving trends and equipping its workforce with digital strategies in the fight against corruption. 

“The current administration’s anti-corruption agenda and my own policy thrust encapsulated in the acronym “CARE” for impact, have further motivated the Commission to enhance its tools, approaches, and engagements.

“I am therefore bold and proud to reflect on the modest progress we have made and the challenges we have overcome so far”, he said.

“These accomplishments include notable asset recoveries, enforcement actions, and initiatives promoting transparency and good governance. For instance, through its Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), the Commission continues to ensure accountability in government funds and deliver tangible benefits of democracy to citizens across Nigeria”, he added.

In the area of asset recovery, Aliyu stated that “N29.700 billion in cash” was recovered and presently domiciled in ICPC recovery accounts.

“N10.986 billion VAT recovered and remitted to FIRS. 

“N10 billion covid-19 vaccine fund meant for production of vaccine remitted to the treasury.

“Value of asset through final forfeiture – N2.5 billion”.

In the area of foreign currency recoveries, the Commission stated that the sum of $966,900.83, was retrieved and kept secured in the ICPC-CBN account balance brought forward.

Similarly, the anti-graft body noted that it has just completed the tracking of 1,500 projects, valued at N610 billion, nationwide under CEPTI Phase 7.

Meanwhile, Aliyu disclosed that the Commission in the last one year processed 851 petitions, with 342 assigned for investigation, 95 fully investigated, 72 cases filed in court, and 16 convictions secured. 

“In this regard, we are streamlining our processes to ensure faster and more effective prosecution of cases, leading to the resuscitation of 10-15-year-old cases in courts”, he said.

Speaking further the chairman disclosed that as part of its commitment to institutional accountability, the Commission assessed 323 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) through its Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS). 

He added that 80 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) were also established across MDAs to reinforce its anti-corruption efforts, adding that “while doing these, the Commission stopped the diversion of public funds to the tune of N5.882 billion”.