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Tag: ICPC

  • ICPC tracks N6bn FG’s projects in Ebonyi

    ICPC tracks N6bn FG’s projects in Ebonyi

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced tracking over 80 projects worth N6bn across Ebonyi state.

    The projects being tracked include capital projects and Tertiary Education Trust Fund projects located across the local governments in the state.

    The tracking team on arrival in Ebonyi visited some projects at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI).

    It also visited some projects of the University being constructed at the Alex Ekwueme University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA).

    Some of the projects tracked at the two institutions include Laboratories for Clinal Medicine and Physical Sciences, Library and others.

    Read Also: ICPC tracking 111 constituency projects in Lagos

    At the School Library, it was gathered that the project had been completed and put to use for the benefit of the students.

    However, at the Physical Sciences Laboratory, it was learnt that though the building was completed it has not been put to use because there was no provision for furnishing and supply of equipment.

    It was however gathered that provision for such has been captured in this year’s budget and very soon the contract will be awarded for the supply of the needed equipment to enable the school to put the laboratory to use.

    The aim of the exercise, according to the Commission is to ensure satisfactory completion and usage of the projects appropriated.

    The commission noted that where it observes any discrepancies or infractions in the execution of any project during the tracking, it will recommend that the contractor returns to the site.

    It further explained that it may also recommend the recovery of money paid for the contract.

    The tracking team consists of members from the ICPC, the Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Civil Society Organizations, and the media.

  • ICPC tracking 111 constituency projects in Lagos

    ICPC tracking 111 constituency projects in Lagos

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has begun tracking of 111 constituency projects in Lagos.

    The Resident Anti-corruption Commission Coordinator in Lagos, Mr. Kabir Elelu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday that the monitoring team started the exercise on Monday.

    He said the team would visit local government offices in Lagos State for the exercise.

    Read Also; Edun: 84m living in poverty not acceptable to Tinubu

    Elelu said the tracking would focus on constituency projects, executive projects and captive funds. NAN reports that the commission says it will commence tracking of 1,932 constituency projects, valued at N500billion in 26 states.

    ICPC spokesperson Azuka Ogugua made this known in a statement in Abuja.

    She said the objectives of the exercise included improved service delivery to the people by investigating fraudulent procurement practices in the award of public contracts.

    Others are to ensure full execution of all public funded projects; execution to specification of projects funded by government and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

    “It is also to ensure that government gets value for money spent on projects,” she said.

  • Ministry writes ICPC to probe consultant over withheld N-Power scheme’s allowances

    Ministry writes ICPC to probe consultant over withheld N-Power scheme’s allowances

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has said the ministry had written to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe the withheld allowances of some beneficiaries of the N-Power programme.

    The minister explained that the move was part of measures to ensure transparency and accountability in the Federal Government’s programme.

    She also said the ministry hoped to get the unpaid allowances from the consultant to the programme.

    Edu gave more reasons why the programme was suspended in an interview on a television station monitored by The Nation.

    She said: “We are conducting further investigations as to why young Nigerians who put in their efforts were not paid when you have the money sitting there.

    “The week I arrived as minister, they quickly rushed to pay 20,000 out of the number of persons they were supposed to cover, which was about 360,000 persons. They paid 20,000 and, the next week, they said they wanted to pay another 40,000.

    “The question is: why are you paying them in trickles when you have enough money to pay everybody who, at least, you owed for a certain amount of months.

    “So, these were all the grey areas we had with the N-Power. At this point, for investigations to go on fully without any form of obstruction, we had to suspend the programme. 

    “Before the suspension, we had about 360,000 people and these are drawn from across the nation, serving in education, agro, 

    health, and about five other areas.”

    Read Also: Medical doctor bags two years in jail for stealing hospital beds in A’Ibom

    On whether the irregularities that led to the suspension of the programme was from the government or the consultant, the minister said: “Yes, is it just one private organisation? It’s just one consultant that is involved in the disbursement.

    “So, the funds were transferred from the government account into the account of the consultant who was expected to pay. However, that fund has sat there for quite a while.

    “We have already written. First, we’ve asked for a return of the complete funds that are in his possession after the initial audit into the N-Power CBN government account.”

    On the identity of the consultant, she said: “I think it’s foreclosed. And like I said, there are parts in which the structure of the programme did not help delivery. Then, there are parts in which the consultant is to be held accountable.

    “For me, where I see the error with the consultant is the speed in paying persons who are beneficiaries when you have funds available.

    “Where I see the error on the part of the government is in terms of monitoring and evaluation…”

  • Corruption: ICPC seeks partnership with community, religious leaders in Enugu

    Corruption: ICPC seeks partnership with community, religious leaders in Enugu

    The Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has tasked engaged stakeholders in Enugu State, including community leaders, religious leaders, and others to join hands with it to eradicate corrupt practices in the country.

    The commission sought the collaboration of traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, media, and other stakeholders in the state in the fight against corruption and unethical behaviours.

    The chairman of the anti-graft commission, Bolaji Owasanoye made the charge at a one-day sensitisation workshop for stakeholders on bringing about behavioural change in society using the (NEIP) in Enugu on Wednesday.

    The ICPC boss, who was represented at the event by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, ICPC, Enugu and Ebonyi states, Kennedy Ebuhotemen, noted that the community and religious leaders, CSOs, and other society leaders had a vital role to play in societal development and had great tasks in influencing values and ethics in the society

    The commission chairman also charged the stakeholders to deepen their partnership with the agency in reducing corruption, promoting ethics, values, and behaviour change, and building a better Nigeria for all.

    According to him, the law and order approach to the fight against corruption alone was no longer enough to get rid of the menace from society, hence the need for all to join the fight.

    Owasanoye said: “Therefore it requires active involvement and engagement of stakeholders for it to be robust and successful.

    Read Also: Why ICPC must investigate alleged looting in MDAs, by Transformation Ambassadors

    “Certainly, ordinary citizens are usually at the receiving ends of corruption and since government agencies cannot be everywhere, it follows reason that the people most affected must be engaged in the crusade.”

    He noted that the Federal Executive Council had in August 2020, approved the National Ethics and Integrity Policy as a response to many damaging effects of corruption on both the public and private sectors with a view to helping restore and revitalize them.

    One of the participants and Country Director of the Global Society for Anti-Corruption, Amaka Nweke commended the ICPC for organizing the workshop and described it as a step in the right direction.

    Nweke therefore urged people to embrace the right attitude, stating that corruption will be tackled when people behave well.

  • Why ICPC must investigate alleged looting in MDAs, by Transformation Ambassadors

    Why ICPC must investigate alleged looting in MDAs, by Transformation Ambassadors

    Why ICPC must investigate alleged looting in MDAs, by Transformation Ambassadors

    The chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN) has been urged to launch a full-scale investigation into allegations of looting and misappropriation of funds in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in order to recover stolen funds.

    The plea was made by a group campaigning for positive political change and gender parity, The Transformation Ambassadors (TTA).

    The convener of the group, Femi Omojuwa, in his review of the state of the economy, disclosed that public officeholders embarking on a looting spree is the bane of Nigeria’s economic growth.

    Reports on fraudulent practices in government MDAs, he said, are at an alarming rate because no one has been sanctioned for stealing.

    Omojuwa cited an instance of erstwhile JAMB registrar, Prof Dibu Ojerinde who is standing trial for over N5billion fraud allegation.

    He, however, urged the ICPC boss to beam the commission’s searchlight on activities at agencies and parastatals, especially the National Theatre and ensure all allegations bordering on misappropriation of funds and looting of artefacts and assets of the parastatal are thoroughly investigated.

    He said: “Nigeria has witnessed unprecedented corruption and looting of the commonwealth by public officers both elected and appointed. This trend continues unchecked because no one has been brought to justice. So far, I must commend the ICPC for investigating and prosecuting the ex-Registrar of JAMB, Prof Dibu Ojerinde, for fraud.

    Read Also: ICPC commences investigation into bribery allegations against Reps ad-hoc committee

    “This is commendable but it has to be replicated across agencies and parastatals, especially at this time when the country is experiencing a dearth of funds and finding it difficult to finance its budget.

    “We have read in the news various allegations against the management of the National Theatre on how they engage in looting spree of assets of the parastatal without either the ICPC or the EFCC intervening to unearth the veracity or otherwise of the claims.

    “We have heard of different groups claiming to have written several petitions against the management of the National Theatre to the Lagos office of the ICPC to expose the massive looting going on at the parastatal without any meaning headway.

    “Despite the volume of allegations as we have seen and read in the media, I wonder why the Lagos ICPC has not made any headway in its investigation of allegations against the management of the National Theatre. The commission has not yielded any meaningful progress. And that explains our appeal to the Chairman of the Commission to look into this and other parastatal like it.”

    He alleged that some staff of the commission have been compromised, appealing to the chairman of the ICPC to take over the investigation and ensure justice is served.

    According to him, “the Auditor-General’s reports which indicted Prof Sunny Ododo is there and other evidence that established misappropriation of funds and also the artefacts and other valuables that were stolen are glaring, why is it taking the ICPC eternity to prosecute the alleged wrongdoings?

    He noted that the former minister of information and culture, Lai Muhammed was informed about the development, saying RATTAWU also wrote a petition to the former minister against the management.

    Omojuwa noted: “It is on this ground that we are appealing to the ICPC chairman to wade into the matter and save the National Theatre and other government agencies and parastatals from the claw of public officers who amassed public wealth for their selfish needs.”

  • ICPC commences investigation into bribery allegations against Reps ad-hoc committee

    ICPC commences investigation into bribery allegations against Reps ad-hoc committee

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has commenced an investigation into allegations of bribery against the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating job racketeering in federal agencies.

    The spokesperson of the commission, Azula Ogugua said in a statement that the commission has received two separate petitions on the issue.

    The petitions, according to the statement were received from the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, and Premium Times.

    The online newspaper had reported that members of the committee were extorting money from agencies to avoid being disgraced publicly.

    Specifically, it reported that Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities were asked to pay the sum of N2 million to a dedicated account after negotiations, while similar faith was to be extended to Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

    Read Also: Alleged N72b fraud: Court bars EFCC, ICPC, others from probing, arresting, prosecuting Matawalle

    The one-paragraph statement read: “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced investigation into petitions received from Premium Times and Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Ad-Hoc Committee on the Investigation of Job Racketeering and Gross Mismanagement in Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), over bribery allegations against the probe panel.”

    At a meeting with Rectors of Federal Polytechnics, Gagdi disclosed that he has written to the ICPC to investigate and find out the relationship between the account number published by the online medium and any member of the committee.

    He also said he has asked the anti-graft agency to find out the truth in the allegations, while the Polytechnics Rectors denied any knowledge of such demand.

    Also at a meeting with the Committee of Vice Chancellors and the National Universities Commission (NUC) on Friday, Gagdi also reinstated his earlier statement but added that he has also written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the issue.

    He said the committee believed that the report published by the online medium was sponsored to distract the committee from carrying out its assignment, saying they will never be deterred in their attempt to assist in repositioning the nation’s public service.

  • Former AGF Agabi reveals how Nigeria can tame corruption, says EFCC, ICPC overwhelmed

    Former AGF Agabi reveals how Nigeria can tame corruption, says EFCC, ICPC overwhelmed

    A former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Kanu Agabi (SAN) has urged the federal government to act fast against corruption, saying the justice sector and law enforcement and anti-graft agencies were overwhelmed.

    Agabi said the judiciary, the police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) can no longer cope with the volume of corruption allegations they receive.

    He identified six kinds of reforms the country must implement to solve the tame the problem.

    They are quality and relevant education, ending governance founded on patronage, economic self-reliance, putting square pegs in square holes in appointments and relaxing state boundaries.

    Agabi said: “We should not hope to solve the problem of corruption as long as the education we offer our young does not equip them for life, as long as the government is founded on patronage, as long as the nation is not self-reliant, as long as people are appointed into high offices for which they are not qualified, as long as the boundaries of the states are rigid.”

    The senior lawyer spoke at an event in Lagos to celebrate the conferment of the rank of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on a foremost anti-corruption prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

    The event also marked the 10th anniversary of Jacobs’ membership of the Inner Bar and the launch by Jacobs of his book “Rotimi Jacobs on Criminal Procedure”.

    Praising Jacobs’ sterling record as a conscientious anti-graft jurist, Agabi lamented the country’s slide to dangerous corruption levels.

    He reasoned that but for relentless men like Jacobs, the situation would be even direr.

    Quoting copiously from scripture and referencing the parable of the prodigal son, the eminent lawyer urged Nigeria to return to honesty and accountability.

    He noted that laws were not the country’s problem, adding that law enforcement agencies are only as good as their personnel.

    Agabi said: “Let me start by saying that the laws against corruption are not new. They have always been there. They are as old as the nation itself.

    “However good they are, they are not self-enforcing. They require good men and women to enforce them.

    “As important and as vital as the institutions that the nation has established to combat corruption and crime, they are limited institutions.

    “They are founded on the premise that crime will be limited. If crime becomes unlimited, these institutions cannot cope.

    “And that is what has happened. With the advent of civil rule, the pendulum swung from one extreme of dictatorship to the extreme of liberalism.

    Read Also: FG grants ex-EFCC boss Bawa access to lawyers, family members

    “Corruption has permeated every department of the nation. The police cannot cope. The judiciary cannot cope. The EFCC and the ICPC cannot cope.

    “Therefore, we must reexamine our approach to the fight against corruption.”

    Guests at the event included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Justices, EFCC and ICPC chairmen and eminent SANs including Chief Wole Olanipekun, Femi Falana, Richard Ahonaruogho, Muiz Banire (SAN), Dr. ‘Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Kunle Adegoke, Muhammad Belgore, Dele Adesina, among others.

  • ICPC to implement African Union treaty

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been nominated  as the second agency of government  in Nigeria under the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption in the continent .

    The nomination of ICPC, according to a statement by its spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa, was conveyed to the AU Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by the Nigerian Embassy, which is also the country’s Permanent Mission to the AU and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

    The nomination letter reads, “The embassy wishes to request the esteemed commission to facilitate the necessary processes in furtherance and to ensure the operationalization of the above-mentioned nomination by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’’

    Okoduwa said: ”By President Buhari’s nomination, ICPC becomes the second Nigeria anti-corruption agency designated under the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. The nomination will help strengthen the work of the Commission, and enhance its relevance within the African continent.

    “The President’s action is a testimony to and recognition of ICPC’s positive impact on the anti-corruption campaign in Nigeria. Nigeria is a state party to the AUCPCC, which was adopted on July 1 2003.

    “Its objective, among others, is to ‘promote and strengthen the development in Africa by each State party, of mechanisms required to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate corruption and related offences in the public and private sectors.’’

  • Constituency projects: ICPC recovers N117m items from Senator

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Sunday confirmed the recovery of Constituency Project items worth N117,123,375.44 from the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, Sen. Chukwuka Utazi.

    The commission has impounded the items and sealed off the Senator’s compound.

    Utazi, former chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, was alleged to have warehoused 203 grinding machines, 60 motorcycles,  five transformers, 168 motorcycle and 51 tricycles.

    The senator said he wanted to distribute the items during the National Assembly annual vacation for effective supervision.

    ICPC claimed that the contract for the procurement of the items was awarded on January 23, 2018 under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the senator’s constituency projects.

    The lifespan of the 8th Senate, when the items were procured, expired on June 5 this year.

    A statement by ICPC spokesperson Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, said the items were recovered as part of the ongoing effort at ensuring the satisfactory execution and completion of all Constituency Projects across the country.

    Read Also: SERAP to ICPC: invite two senators over ‘diversion of constituency projects’

    The recovery  is being done through the Constituency Projects Tracking Group (CPTG) initiative.

    The statement said: “The items covered by this amount and recovered from the legislator are 168 and 51 numbers of motorcycles and tricycles respectively. They were discovered to be stashed away in a compound in Mkpologu town of Uzo-Nwani Local Government Area, believed to be owned by the senator.

    “ICPC findings indicated clearly that the contract for the procurement of the items was awarded on 23rd January 2018 under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the Senator’s constituency projects.

    “Investigations have also shown that the companies awarded the contracts for the project are as follows: Al-Amir Int. Ltd., Du-Lumac Ltd., Com Technologies System Ltd. and Chumax Agency Ltd.

    “Additionally, ICPC recovered 203 grinding machines, 60 motorcycles and five transformers in the compound which had been procured under another constituency project.

    “Thereupon, the Commission impounded all the items and sealed the senator’s compound.

    “The tricycles, motorcycles and grinding machines were meant to be distributed to the lawmaker’s constituents to empower them as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to alleviate poverty.

    “The senator has pledged to ICPC that they would be distributed to beneficiaries on Tuesday 6th August, 2019.

    “While ICPC is investigating circumstances that led to the items being in the possession of the sponsoring legislator rather than the implementing agency, its officers will be on the scene to supervise the distribution.”

    But Utazi said he purposely wanted to distribute the items during the National Assembly’s annual vacation.

    He said he could not distribute them during election period to avoid being accused of inducement of voters, adding that the items were supplied by the Federal Government before the election.

    Utazi said: “I showed them materials for the empowerment, including 51 tricycles, 208 motorcycles, 212 grinding machines and five electricity transformers.

    “They expressed happiness that the materials supplied by the Federal Government for senatorial empowerment in my district are all intact and I informed them I will start the distribution next week.

    “ICPC routine checks on project empowerment materials are for all federal lawmakers, not for me alone.

    “Some journalists should try to investigate first before publishing; those that published that story did not even care to call me to verify the information they received.

    “As a Christian, I hand over to God everything about my life as well as those who accuse me falsely so as to blackmail me.

    “The source of the information that my house in the village has been sealed by ICPC has evil intention to tarnish my image.

    “I purposely want to distribute them during the National Assembly’s annual vacation to enable me to supervise the distribution as well as to ensure that the right people benefit.

    “By next Tuesday, I will start the distribution of the materials in Igboeze-South and Igboeze-North council areas, Wednesday will be for Udenu LG, Thursday Nsukka LG then Friday will be for Igboetiti LG. Uzowani LG will be on Monday, August 12.”

  • Constituency projects: ICPC recovers N117m items from another Senator, seals compound

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed the recovery Constituency Project items worth N117,123,375.44 million from the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, Sen. Chukwuka Utazi.

    The commission said it has impounded the items sealed off the Senator’s compound.

    Utazi, who was a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, was alleged to have warehoused 203 grinding machines, 60 motorcycles,  five transformers, 168 and 51 numbers of motorcycles and tricycles.

    The Senator however said he wanted to distribute the items during the National Assembly annual vacation for effective supervision.

    ICPC claimed that the the contract for the procurement of the items was awarded on 23rd January 2018, under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the Senator’s constituency projects.

    The lifespan of the 8th Senate, when the items were procured, expired on June 5 this year.

    A statement by spokesperson of ICPC, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, mni said the items were recovered as part of the ongoing effort at ensuring the satisfactory execution and completion of all Constituency Projects across the country.

    The recovery nationwide is being done through the Constituency Projects Tracking Group (CPTG) initiative.

    The statement said: “The items covered by this amount and recovered from the legislator are 168 and 51 numbers of motorcycles and tricycles respectively. They were discovered to be stashed away in a compound in Mkpologu town of Uzo-Nwani Local Government Area, believed to be owned by the Senator.

    “ICPC findings indicated clearly that the contract for the procurement of the items was awarded on 23rd January 2018, under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the Senator’s constituency projects.

    “Investigations have also shown that the companies awarded the contracts for the project are as follows: Al-Amir Int. Ltd., Du-Lumac Ltd., Com Technologies System Ltd. and Chumax Agency Ltd.

    “Additionally, ICPC recovered 203 grinding machines, 60 motorcycles and 5 transformers in the compound which had been procured under another constituency project.

    “Thereupon the Commission impounded all the items and sealed the Senator’s compound.

    “The tricycles, motorcycles and grinding machines were meant to be distributed to the lawmaker’s constituents to empower them as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to alleviate poverty.

    “The Senator has pledged to ICPC that they would be distributed to beneficiaries on Tuesday 6th August, 2019.

    “While ICPC is investigating circumstances that led to the items being in the possession of the sponsoring legislator rather than the implementing agency, its officers will be on the scene to supervise the distribution.

    But Sen. Utazi said he purposely wanted to distribute the items during National Assembly annual vacation.

    He said he will distribute the items as from Tuesday.

    He said he could not distribute the items during election period to avoid bring accused of inducement of voters.

    He said items were supplied by the Federal Government before the election.

    Utazi said: “I showed them materials for the empowerment including 51 tricycles, 208 motorcycles, 212 grinding machines and five electricity transformers.

    “They expressed happiness that the materials supplied by the Federal Government for senatorial empowerment in my district are all intact and I informed them I will start the distribution next week.

    “ICPC routine checks on project empowerment materials are for all federal lawmakers not for me alone.

    “Some journalists should try to investigate first before publishing, those that published that story did not even care to call me to verify the information they received.

    “As a Christian, I hand over to God everything about my life as well as those who accuse me falsely so as to blackmail me.

    “The source of the information that my house in the village has been sealed by ICPC has evil intention to tarnish my image.

    “I purposely want to distribute them during National Assembly annual vacation to enable me to supervise the distributions as well as to ensure that the right people benefited.

    “By next Tuesday, I will start the distribution of the materials in Igboeze-South and Igboeze-North council areas, Wednesday will be for Udenu LG, Thursday Nsukka LG then Friday will be for Igboetiti LG while Uzowani LG will be on Monday August 12.”