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ICPC vows to sanction corrupt legislators

ICPC operatives

Published By: Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi

 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced its commitment to act against corrupt legislators in state Houses of Assembly.

Dr. Musa Aliyu, Chairman of the ICPC, made this statement on Tuesday in Abuja during the opening of a three-day capacity-building workshop for legislators from Jigawa State.

The workshop, titled “Transparency and Accountability: Effective Legislative Tools Towards Successful Mandate Delivery,” aims to address the concerns of corruption in the country.

Dr. Aliyu noted the importance of legislators maintaining integrity in both their public and private roles.

He assured that the ICPC is prepared to collaborate with state legislatures to combat corruption and will continue its role in enforcement, prevention, public education, and mass mobilization within legal boundaries.

He emphasized the critical role of the legislature in democratic governance, noting that effective oversight is essential to ensure that legislative goals are realized and that executive functions align with the intent of laws.

He urged legislators to conduct their oversight within the legal framework and to prioritize the country’s collective interests over personal or partisan gains.

“We are ready to partner with the state legislature to advance the fight against corruption as we have done and are still doing with other arms and tiers of government.

“However, we will succeed in wielding the big stick when the occasion demands that we do so.

“The oversight function is critical in ensuring that the legislature’s intent in making laws that will improve the living standard of the poor is reflected in the performance of the executive functions.

“As important as its role in government is, the state legislature must endeavour to conduct its oversight functions within the ambit of the law that established the House of Assembly.

“Legislators should live above board and should be seen to do so in all their public and private functions.’’

Dr. Aliyu also stressed the need for respect for the principle of separation of powers, warning against encroachments that could undermine democracy and governance. He pointed out that transparency and accountability are crucial for the legislature to effectively address waste, inefficiency, and corruption.

“The principle of separation of powers must be respected and observed; encroaching on the functions of the executive and judiciary undermines democracy and good governance.

“Additionally, the legislature is expected to detect waste, inefficiency, ineffectiveness, corruption and mismanagement of public resources.

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“However, these functions can only be effectively discharged by the legislative arm of government if it embraces transparency and accountability in its operations; this is why this workshop is so important,” he said.

Jigawa House of Assembly Speaker Haruna Dangyatin, represented by Deputy Speaker Sani Abubakar, welcomed the workshop as timely and beneficial.

He promised the assembly’s support in fighting corruption through legislative measures and effective oversight.

“I believe that the knowledge we will receive will assist us in delivering our mandate.

“We are going to make very good use of what we are going to learn; in terms of legislation, we will make laws.

“We have to conduct very good oversight to make sure that the money allocated to MDAs is being spent as expected to be spent and ensure proper budget implementation,” he said.

Richard Bello, Acting Director of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), noted the academy’s efforts to build capacity to fight corruption.

He revealed the huge role of the legislature in this battle and the urgency of communicating anti-corruption messages effectively.

“The importance of working with the legislative arm of government at both federal and state levels in combating the phenomenon of corruption can never be overstated.

“Legislators as direct representatives of the people in the corridors of power occupy a very sensitive position in a democratic setting such as ours in this country.

“The need to communicate the appropriate message down the line has never been more urgent than now.

“The crusade against corruption has moved to a critical stage in recent months and the realization of the damage that the phenomenon is doing to the nation has made it even more urgent.’’

Bello noted that while anti-corruption agencies play a leading role, a collective effort involving various societal segments is essential for success.

“But we must also accept the fact that the anti-corruption agencies cannot alone on their own, fight and win the battle against corruption.

“The agencies need to work with various segments of the population in taking the battle to all corners and all sectors,” he said.