LG autonomy: ICPC vows to enforce Supreme Court judgment

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has vowed that it will ensure strict enforcement of the July 11 Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy.

The chairman of the anti-graft agency, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu SAN, made the vow on Thursday, in his welcome address at  a one-day National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC), members hybrid interactive forum held at ICPC headquarters in Abuja.

While warning against violation of the apex court’s judgment, Aliyu declared that ICPC would ensure compliance with the Supreme Court verdict at all cost.

Dr Aliyu said local governments across the country ought to be governed by democratically elected officials who would discharge their responsibilities effectively in responsible way as well as had the interest of the people at heart.

“Local governments must be governed by democratically elected people from the grassroots.

“You need to ensure that those that are going to be elected are people that have us in their mind; people that will discharge their responsibilities effectively in a responsible way.

”Not people that will divert public funds, and ICPC, as a commission, we will ensure that we impose compliance no matter what,” the ICPC boss said.

According to Aliyu, apart from the fact that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) was clear on the issue of local government autonomy, there was the need to protect the integrity of Nigerian courts.

This, he said, ICPC was ready to do by ensuring implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy to the letter.

“We have to protect the integrity of our courts. I will not stand by and watch some people dismantle it. Not during my time.

“They can do it if I am not here, but not while I am here. I am not scared. I am determined.

“I will protect the integrity of the court. I will lead the fight. I put my trust in God. Nobody can do anything to me except God allows it,” Dr Aliyu vowed.