70% of Nigerians approached for bribe in 2023 declined – ICPC chairman

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), has revealed that 70% of Nigerians approached for a bribe in 2023 rejected it on at least one occasion.

Dr. Aliyu disclosed this during a conference with State Attorneys-General from the North-West region in Kano, which focused on strengthening the ICPC’s capacity for corruption prevention. Themed “Establishing a community of practice for Attorneys General,” the event aimed to foster long-term partnerships in building a united front against corruption in Nigeria.

“No single arm of government or tier of government or agency can fight corruption because we need to come together locally, regionally, and internationally for us to fight corruption. This is an opportunity to enhance our collaboration to ensure that we create a system of accountability and transparency in our dear country,” he said.

Dr. Aliyu urged North-West Attorneys-General to closely collaborate with the ICPC to reinforce systems of accountability and transparency that serve the people. He also noted that in the North-West, 76% of individuals who encountered bribery demands resisted, marking the highest refusal rate among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

“However, despite these challenges, the positive news is that 70 per cent of Nigerians approached for a bribe in 2023 refused to comply on at least one occasion. In the North-West, 76 per cent of individuals who encountered bribery requests resisted the highest refusal rate among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, indicating growing resistance to bribery in the region,” he said.

Dr. Aliyu emphasized that collective efforts are vital for achieving long-term success in the fight against corruption. “As stakeholders, we must continue to encourage the people of the North-West to resist bribery demands. As Chairman of the ICPC, I am committed to ensuring that the Commission uses its law enforcement powers and preventive measures which include enlisting and fostering public support in combating corruption in Nigeria within the confines of the law.”

Kano Chief Judge, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, commended the ICPC’s proactive approach in prioritizing preventive measures to combat corruption. According to her, while enforcement and prosecution are essential, prevention offers a more sustainable strategy by addressing the root causes of corruption.

“This approach aligns with the Judiciary’s role in interpreting laws that not only punish but also deter corrupt practices. We are well aware that no single entity can combat corruption in isolation. This is why the initiative to establish a community of practice among attorneys general is commendable, as it fosters collaboration, shared learning, and the harmonization of strategies across states,” she said.

Justice Aboki also highlighted the steps taken by the Kano State Judiciary to ensure accountability within its ranks, including the establishment of the Judicial Public Complaints Committee (JPCC), which investigates allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, and corruption. “With a mandate to act independently in order to ensure transparency, the JPCC serves as a mechanism for investigating allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, and corruption within the Judiciary,” she noted.

Other notable speakers at the conference included the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, the Presiding Judge of the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, Justice Muhammad Lawal Shu’aibu, as well as the Attorneys-General of Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Kaduna, and others.