70% of Nigerians Reject Bribes in 2023, Says ICPC Chairman

Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has announced that 70% of Nigerians declined to accept bribes when approached at least once in 2023. Aliyu made the revelation during a conference with State Attorneys-General from the North-West zone in Kano, where he discussed strengthening the ICPC’s capacity for preventing corruption.

The conference, titled “Establishing a Community of Practice for Attorneys-General,” aimed to build long-term collaboration to tackle corruption in Nigeria.

Aliyu emphasized that the fight against corruption should not be left to the government or specific agencies alone. He stressed the importance of collective efforts across all sectors and regions, calling for greater transparency and cooperation.

“No single arm or tier of government can fight corruption alone,” he stated. “We must unite locally, regionally, and internationally to create a system of accountability and transparency in our country.”

Aliyu called for stronger collaboration between the Attorneys-General of the North-West and the ICPC to enhance systems of accountability.

He also shared encouraging news: in 2023, 70% of Nigerians who were offered bribes rejected them. In the North-West, the refusal rate was even higher, with 76% of individuals resisting bribe demands, the highest rate among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. This, Aliyu noted, signified a growing resistance to bribery in the region.

Aliyu further emphasized that a united effort was key to achieving lasting success in the fight against corruption. He urged stakeholders to continue encouraging people in the North-West to resist bribery, and affirmed his commitment to using the ICPC’s enforcement powers and preventive measures to fight corruption within the law.

Kano State’s Chief Judge, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, praised the ICPC’s proactive focus on prevention as an effective strategy against corruption. While acknowledging that enforcement and prosecution are essential, Aboki argued that prevention addresses the root causes of corruption and is a more sustainable approach.

“This aligns with the Judiciary’s role in interpreting laws that deter corrupt practices,” she said. “We know that no single entity can fight corruption alone, which is why the initiative to create a community of practice among Attorneys-General is so important. It fosters collaboration, shared learning, and the harmonization of strategies.”

Aboki also highlighted the Kano State Judiciary’s proactive measures to combat corruption within its own system. The Judicial Public Complaints Committee (JPCC), established to promote transparency and investigate misconduct within the Judiciary, plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability.