ICPC Chairman Calls for Immediate Passage of Whistleblower Bill

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called on the National Assembly to promptly pass the Whistleblower Act Bill into law to bolster the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

Dr. Aliyu made the appeal during the ICPC Roundtable Engagement with State Attorneys General from the North West region, held on Monday in Kano. The roundtable was focused on strengthening the ICPC’s capacity for corruption prevention.

He emphasized that the passage of the bill is crucial for encouraging individuals to expose corrupt practices and hold wrongdoers accountable. “Let me use this occasion to call on the National Assembly to pass the Whistleblower Bill into law so that those wishing to expose corrupt practices will have the confidence to do so,” he stated.

The ICPC Chairman further urged Nigerians to resist bribery demands from public officials and, when possible, report such cases to the appropriate authorities. “No single individual or government can fight corruption alone; we need to come together to tackle this issue,” Dr. Aliyu said. He reiterated that the ICPC will continue collaborating with relevant stakeholders to combat corruption within the bounds of the law.

He also called on the Attorneys-General of the North West to work closely with the ICPC to enhance accountability and transparency systems that serve the public. “ICPC is empowered by Section 6 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act to investigate and prosecute corruption across all sectors of public service. However, your support and local knowledge are vital to making this effort more effective,” he added.

Dr. Aliyu highlighted the importance of unity in the fight against corruption, stressing that no nation can prosper where corruption flourishes. “Confronting corruption is critical to the prosperity of the nation. No country can thrive where corruption thrives,” he said.

He pointed out that bribery is most prevalent in public utilities, law enforcement, and administrative services. Despite these challenges, he noted a positive development: 70% of Nigerians approached for a bribe in 2023 refused at least once. In the North West, the refusal rate was even higher at 76%, marking the region with the highest resistance to bribery in the country.

“We must continue to encourage the people of the North West and Nigeria at large to resist bribery demands,” Dr. Aliyu urged.

Justice Muhammad Lawal Shu’aibu, the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, also addressed the forum, urging anti-graft agencies to intensify efforts in the ongoing battle against corruption in all its forms.