ICPC recovers N117b in 8 months alone
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
More than N117 billion was recovered by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) through various means in the first eight months of this year alone, covering January to August.
ICPC Chairman Bolaji Owasanoye made the disclosure before the House of Representatives Committees on Anti-Corruption and Appropriation during the Commission’s defence of its 2023 budget proposal in Abuja.
He explained the performance of ICPC 2022 budget by giving a breakdown of recoveries to include
- ICPC/TSA recovery account – N1.413 billion and $225,965
- Tax intervention – N1.264 billion cash
- Plots of land – N679.13 million
- Completed buildings – N2.603 billion
- Vehicles – N81.1 million
- Electronics – N1.55 million
- Jewelry – N195,500
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Restraining funds
Owasanoye said the ICPC restrained N49.9 billion through System Study and review intervention; N6.435 billion cash (budget tracking); N53.91b billion (ICPC advisory); and N614.2 million (through other accounts), per Vanguard reporting.
He highlighted other accomplishments of the Commission during the 2022 budget cycle to include but not limited to
- Completion of 672 investigations
- Completion of 565 non-petition-led investigations
- Securing of 15 convictions
- Tracking of 538 under Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI)
- Deployment of Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard in 260 MDAs
- Review of Open Treasury Portal in 30 MDAs
- System Study and Review of 10 MDA
- Inauguration of 26 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs)
- Monitoring 14 corruption activities
- Public enlightenment and education on corruption through various platforms
Committee Chairman Nicholas Shehu applauded Owasanoye and ICPC board members for their dynamic and visionary leadership which has turned around the fortunes of the Commission to a vibrant and viable anti-corruption agency.
He charged the ICPC not to “drop the ball” but “continue to soar higher.”
Shehu urged the federal government to release the balance of the 2022 ICPC budget to enable it achieve its target.
He also implored the ICPC to develop a whistleblowing mobile app to enable Nigerians report acts of corruption.