The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said it would investigate and prosecute officials or heads of ministries, departments or agencies (MDAs) that victimize their staff members who expose corruption in the MDAs.
The commission made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja against the backdrop of increasing persecution of whistle-blowers in government.
The statement said: “The commission’s decision to tackle the MDAs over victimization was based on the many petitions from staff of government agencies that they are being victimized for exposing various forms of corruption in their work places.
“Recently, a member of staff of the Federal Ministry of Defence sought the assistance of the ICPC against victimization for exposing corruption at the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC). The staff claimed that the FCSC has denied him promotion because he reported to the ICPC, a case of demand for bribe from a staff of the commission before his file could be worked on.
“The staff’s travails began in 2013 when his file was sent to the commission for regularization and promotion.
“The petitioner alleged that following the prosecution of the indicted FCSC staff in an Abuja High Court by the ICPC, his file was left unattended to and has now disappeared from the records of the FCSC. In addition, he has been named an enemy of the civil service and was disqualified from the 2015 promotion exercise.
“The ICPC has written to the Chairperson of the Federal Civil Service Commission, requesting her to intervene in the matter and ensure that the matter is resolved.”
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