ICPC boss flags off workshop on illicit financial flows in Nasarawa

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, on Tuesday flagged off a combined training workshop on Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) and Money Laundering, alongside an Anti-Corruption Leadership Series, at the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The flag-off ceremony marked the commencement of an intensive capacity-building programme designed for public officers, civil servants and stakeholders across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), aimed at bolstering the nation’s fight against corruption, illicit financial flows and money laundering.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Aliyu declared that illicit financial flows continue to deprive Nigeria of the resources needed to fund development, warning that the scourge undermines economic growth, weakens governance and impoverishes ordinary citizens.

He noted that the benefits of IFFs accrue only to a privileged few, while the nation bears the high cost of lost revenue and diminished public services.

According to him, the workshop was convened to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to detect, deter and report suspicious financial activities, thereby ensuring that the nation’s wealth is retained and deployed for the benefit of all.

The ICPC Chairman affirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to repositioning ACAN as a world-class learning institute capable of competing favourably with other anti-corruption institutions across the globe.

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He stated that the Academy would be transformed into a centre of excellence for anti-corruption training, research and development, equipped to produce well-trained professionals with the requisite skills to confront emerging corruption challenges in Nigeria and beyond.

Dr. Aliyu stressed that the fight against corruption must not rest on enforcement alone, but must be complemented by routine training and capacity building of public and civil servants on best practices for combating the menace.

“Enforcement is only one leg of the fight against corruption. Sustainable anti-corruption requires prevention through knowledge, integrity and leadership. That is why we are investing in the training of public servants and other stakeholders, so they can understand the nature of corruption, illicit financial flows and money laundering, and apply global best practices in their service delivery,” he said.

He therefore urged participants to take the workshop seriously, apply the knowledge gained, and become ambassadors of transparency, accountability and integrity in their respective organisations, so that the benefits of good governance may be felt across the country.

In addition to flagging off the workshop, the Chairman carried out an on-site assessment of the Academy’s facilities to identify areas requiring urgent upgrade and improvement, in line with the Commission’s vision of repositioning ACAN as a world-class institution.

He assured that the Commission would provide the necessary support, infrastructure, and partnerships to ensure the Academy meets international standards in anti-corruption training and education, as contained in a statement signed by J. Okor Odey, Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC.