The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu (SAN), has disclosed that over 60% of corruption cases investigated by the commission involve the diversion of public resources meant for critical projects such as healthcare and infrastructure.
Aliyu made this revelation during the launch of the ICPC’s Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Governments (ACPP-LG) in Abuja on Thursday. The initiative aims to enhance transparency, financial management, and governance standards within Nigeria’s 774 local councils.
According to Aliyu, corruption at the local government level has significantly undermined the delivery of essential services. He stated, “The commission’s investigations have consistently shown that a significant percentage of public funds meant for crucial projects are being diverted by corrupt individuals. This has led to the deterioration of infrastructure, poor healthcare services, and a decline in overall governance at the grassroots level.”
He further emphasized that without strong financial oversight and accountability mechanisms, corruption would continue to thrive within local government administrations. “We must take urgent action to prevent the reckless mismanagement of public funds that are meant to improve the lives of citizens,” Aliyu added.
The ICPC Chairman noted that the commission has intensified its monitoring efforts to track how public funds are utilized. He referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling reinforcing the autonomy of local governments, stating that such legal backing strengthens the commission’s efforts in holding local officials accountable.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, represented by the Director of Public Prosecution, M.B. Abubakar, said the recent landmark judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the financial autonomy of local governments is a historic stride towards liberating the third tier of government from excessive state interference, thereby enhancing their effective capacity to deliver essential services to the grassroots.
“This ruling is a step in the right direction. It sends a strong message that financial recklessness and impunity will no longer be tolerated. The ICPC remains committed to ensuring that funds allocated for development projects are used effectively and transparently,” Aliyu said.
Stakeholders present at the event, including representatives from civil society organizations and the National Assembly, expressed concerns over the persistent embezzlement of public funds. One of the attendees, Hon. Adebayo Lawal, a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, urged stricter penalties for those found guilty of fund misappropriation.
“We need more than just investigations; we need swift prosecution and conviction of corrupt officials. This will serve as a deterrent to others who might be considering diverting public funds,” Lawal stated.
Civil society advocate, Mary Okoro, also weighed in on the discussion, stressing the need for citizen participation in governance. “If communities actively monitor and report suspicious activities, we can significantly reduce corruption at the grassroots level. The government must also empower whistleblowers by ensuring their safety,” she said.
Aliyu reaffirmed the ICPC’s commitment to enforcing compliance with anti-corruption laws. He highlighted that under the ACPP-LG initiative, the commission will conduct regular audits, engage in proactive disclosure of financial records, and train local government officials on best practices for public fund management.
“We cannot win the fight against corruption alone. We need the cooperation of all stakeholders, including the judiciary, the legislature, civil society organizations, and most importantly, the citizens,” Aliyu concluded.
The launch of the ACPP-LG is seen as a significant step towards tackling corruption at the grassroots level. Many hope that with sustained efforts, the diversion of funds meant for healthcare and infrastructure will be curbed, ultimately leading to improved living conditions for Nigerians.