Immigration boss vows strong sanctions against corrupt personnel

Jere said: “In some instances, corrupt practices are becoming part of the acceptable societal norms. This is dangerous and must be resisted.”

By Eberechi Obinagwam

The Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris, has stated that every necessary effort shall be made to frontally combat all forms of sharp practices across Commands and Formations in the Service.

In a statement signed by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, Amos Okpu, the CGI stated this at the induction ceremony of newly nominated Personnel into the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Service in Abuja.

“I need not over-emphasize the fact that corruption remains one of the main plagues threatening the growth and survival of our country. It has continued to take its toil on virtually all areas of our national endeavours. In some instances, corrupt practices are becoming part of the acceptable societal norms. This is dangerous and must be resisted by all persons of goodwill. I must inform that your assignment as members of ACTU may not be easy because corruption and indeed corrupt persons will always fight back but I assure you of regular support from management to enable you make meaningful impact,” Jere said.

The Comptroller General commended the efforts of the leadership of Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for the robust relationship and collaboration between the two agencies and called for its sustenance. He specifically appreciated the improved joint capacity building efforts between both agencies and reiterated that training and retraining activities remain very critical for organizational growth and development.

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Earlier, the chairman of ICPC Prof. Bolaji Owasoneye represented by Mr. Abbia Udofia commended the Service for the bold move to constitute a strong Anti- Corruption Unit to join in the fight against corrupt and poor service delivery practices. He enjoined the nominees to understand the enormous responsibilities imposed on them by becoming members of ACTU and called on them to remain exemplary, firm and focussed in the discharge of their duties.

A major highlight of the event was the administration of the oath of allegiance on the eleven Officers nominated by the Service as members of ACTU by Barr. Abodurin Adebimpe, Assistant Chief Superintendent of ICPC. With the inauguration and induction, members of the Unit have been statutorily empowered to monitor, investigate and report all forms of corrupt practices noticed anywhere across the service for necessary actions.

The event was attended by senior management team of the Service and officials of ICPC including Mrs. Edu Davis, ICPC Desk Officer, Larry Abwo, Prisca Okwaraebo both Principal Superintendents in ICPC among others.