The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on State Attorneys General (AG) in the country to partner with the ICPC in fine-tuning strategies to prevent corruption, adding that “no country can move forward where corruption thrives.”
This reaffirmed the ICPC’s determination to combat corruption in Nigeria.
Dr. Aliyu made this known on Monday during the opening ceremony of a conference with the States’ Attorneys General in the Northwest, held in Kano. The conference aimed to strengthen the ICPC’s capacity for corruption prevention and foster a collaborative approach to fighting corruption in Nigeria.
He emphasised the need for collaborative efforts in fighting corruption, citing the apex court’s call for stakeholders to come together to combat the menace.
He urged Attorneys General to partner with the ICPC in fine-tuning strategies to prevent corruption. “No country can move forward where corruption thrives.”
Dr Aliyu highlighted the Northwest Zone’s impressive record of public servants who reject corruption and underscored the ICPC’s fifth pillar, which emphasises collaborative efforts to curb corruption.
According to him, “Fighting corruption requires three essential pillars: knowledge, courage, and integrity. Without these pillars, it is impossible to achieve the desired goals in combating corruption,” he emphasised.
Declaring the event open, the presiding judge of the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, Justice Muhammad Lawal Shuaibu, called for anti-graft agencies to go after the “big fish” and spare no one involved in corruption.
He added that this is imperative so that citizens would be convinced that the anti-graft agencies do not give preferential treatment to the “bigger fish” in society.
According to him, since the law has no respect for anybody, there is a need to ensure that if the so-called “bigger fish” are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the rules and regulations, it would enhance accountability, transparency, and fair justice for all.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, and the Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Aboki, among others.
Speaking at the occasion, Justice Dije Aboki emphasised the importance of collective action in combating corruption. “We are well aware that no single entity can combat corruption in isolation. This is why the initiative to establish a community of practice among Attorneys General is commendable, as it fosters collaboration, shared learning, and the harmonisation of strategies across states,” she stated.
She added that focusing on the Northwest zone in this engagement acknowledges the shared challenges faced and the unique opportunity to strengthen collaboration among critical stakeholders in the fight against corruption.
“The approach to focus on the Northwest zone in this engagement recognises the shared challenges we face and the unique opportunity to strengthen collaboration among critical stakeholders in the fight against corruption,” she noted.
Justice Aboki further highlighted the pivotal role attorneys general play in legal governance, stating that the initiative would enhance the capacity of states in the region to address corruption more effectively.
“The fight against corruption is not just a legal imperative but a moral one, as corruption undermines governance, weakens institutions, and erodes public trust,” she said.
Referring to a recent newspaper article, Justice Aboki expressed concern over a Transparency International report indicating that Nigeria’s corruption ranking has worsened, further eroding public trust in anti-corruption mechanisms.
“We are also acutely aware that corruption is a systemic challenge that undermines governance and development. To combat it effectively, institutions at all levels must take practical, targeted steps to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public confidence,” she concluded.
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