ICPC and Osun State Government forms alliance to Bolster Anti-Corruption Efforts

In a significant move aimed at promoting the culture of Integrity and accountability in Osun State, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) entered into an alliance with Osun State Government through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both parties.

The MOU was signed by the Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN and the Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Sen Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke at the Government House in Osogbo and was witnessed by top state functionaries and top officials of ICPC

The Chairman of ICPC, Barr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, who was warmly received by the Governor, commended the Osun State Government for showing commitment towards the anti-corruption campaign through the collaboration with the Commission.

He noted that the move was a show of unwavering support for collective action against corruption and pointed out the importance of such action embodies political will against corruption saying, “This collaboration embodies our collective resolve to combat corruption and foster the culture of integrity and accountability in Osun State”

The ICPC Boss explained further that the action was in line with “Article 5(2) of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which mandates signatory nations to establish and promote effective practices aimed at preventing corruption”.

In addition, he said “Section 6 (b-f) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act empowers ICPC to undertake a wide range of anti-corruption activities aimed at preventing and minimizing corruption in the society”.

Explaining how important the event was, the ICPC Chairman said, “Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Osun State Government is a historic step forward. Leveraging the directives of UNCAC, our Constitution (as amended), and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, we commit to a robust partnership focused on anti-corruption initiatives, public education, and activities designed to enhance integrity and accountability within Osun State”.

Additionally, he said “As the Chairman of ICPC and a former State Attorney General, I firmly believe that the fight against corruption can not be won by any single individual or agency. It requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders in the three tiers of government”, and as he said further “Together, we will galvanize support, implement necessary preventive measures, and adopt a more effective strategy in our battle against corruption”, all in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for ‘improved governance for effective service delivery”.

The ICPC Boss concluded by pointing out that success against corruption could only be achieved when all stakeholders work together in creating a society where integrity, transparency and accountability becomes the norm, resulting in a better society for future generation.

In his welcome address, Governor Ademola Adeleke reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to good governance and financial discipline.

He said under his administration, the state has embarked on multi-billion-naira projects and measures were also being taken to ensure transparency in the implementation and completion of these projects aimed at improving the lives of citizens of the state.

Governor Adeleke, who was elated by the partnership with ICPC, said, “We welcome ICPC into our dear state, where our government has zero tolerance for corruption. You are in Osun State where our government is implementing multi-billion-naira infrastructure agenda”.

He used the opportunity to outline the efforts made by the state to promote transparency and accountability in the management of state finance which he said included “creation of special projects accounts, blocking leakages in revenue generation, reduction of overhead costs as well as deliberate saving from government earnings”.

The Governor further assured that all the measures put in place to promote integrity were working and as he maintained “I am happy to report that we have made significant headway. The projects are ongoing in line with the approved schedule supervised by tested professionals in the field”.

He pledged his selfless service to the state and total support for the partnership with the Commission, which he believed would further enhance good governance in Osun.

He noted that “The anti-corruption agencies have a delicate assignment which demands the support and cooperation of those holding top government offices”, and therefore believes that the signing of the MOU as a demonstration of political will on the part of his government.

Governor Adeleke mentioned the area of partnering with ICPC, which included monitoring and evaluation of projects, which to him would enhance existing quality assurance and also expand anti-corruption efforts within the state.

The MOU between the Commission and Osun State Government establishes a collaborative framework for promoting anti-corruption initiatives, public education, and strengthening accountability within the state to further promote ethical practices.

ICPC Case: Court Dismisses Application to Vacate Forfeiture Order in N96 Million Contract Fraud

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application to vacate a final forfeiture order granted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in a Ninety-Six-million-naira contract fraud.

The ruling was predicated on an application dated and filed on 15th February 2024 asking the court to set aside the interim and final forfeiture orders granted to the ICPC to freeze certain bank accounts believed to have been used to receive the sum of N96 million for contracts that were never executed.

In a case involving former Surveyor-General of the Federation (SGF), Ebisintei Bietoru Awudu, Kumeni Services Limited and Geolev Nigeria Limited, ICPC had in December, 2021 and April 2022 secured interim and final forfeiture orders respectively from the Federal High Court over funds believed to be proceeds of crime.

However, the second respondent/applicant (Kumeni Services Limited) challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter just as it argued that ICPC lacked the locus standi to apply for order of forfeiture.

Delivering her judgement on the application on Thursday, Justice Evelyn Maha held that the argument of the second respondent/applicant (Kumeni Services Limited) was confusing and unsettling because the originating process filed failed to refer to any extant law or imaginary law that precludes the federal government to apply for a forfeiture order.

“The second respondent applicant did not attach any document before me that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation did not give consent to the ICPC to file this action for forfeiture. Also, it’s a common knowledge in law that the AGF is in charge of protecting all the interests of the federal public in Nigeria and any action before any court of law or anything that has to do with any federal government of Nigeria.

In that contention, the arguments of the second respondent applicant failed, having not shown in the court, the law that should not allow ICPC to apply under the name of the federal government.”

The presiding judge stressed further that ICPC did complied with the publication order made by the court for anyone affected to show course why the interim forfeiture order should not be made final.

“And it is clear that the publication order was made by the court. Again, the second applicant is also misleading the court, as my records show that the ICPC complied with the order of publication and the interim. So, in consequence of the above, it’s my finding that the application is lacking in merit and is hereby dismissed by the court.”

Justice Maha also frowned at the application that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter saying that was a gross-abuse of court process.

“If I have heard that I don’t have jurisdiction, I would have awarded a million-dollar cost. You have to be careful because this is a gross abuse of court process.” the judge warned.

ICPC had in 2019 received a petition from concern citizens alleging that that one (Surveyor Ebisintei Bietoru Awudu), in connivance and collusion with the second respondent/applicant (Kumeni Services Limited) perpetrated fraud at the office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation.

The petition was investigated and the Commission discovered that all the contracts awarded to the 2nd Respondent/Applicant by the 1st Respondent was a conduit pipe for siphoning money belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria in form of unexecuted and inflated contracts.

Source: icpc gn.gov