70% Of Nigerians Approached For Bribe In 2023 Declined – ICPC

Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has disclosed that 70% of Nigerians contacted for bribes in 2023 refused them at least once.

Dr. Aliyu made the announcement during a conference in Kano with State Attorneys-General from the North-West region, which aimed to boost the ICPC’s capacity to prevent corruption. The event, themed “Establishing a Community of Practice for Attorneys General,” aimed to create long-term cooperation in the fight 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 advised the North-West Attorneys-General to work closely with the ICPC to strengthen accountability and transparency systems that benefit the public. He further stated that in the North-West, 76% of people who faced bribery demands refused, the highest refusal percentage 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.”

Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, Chief Judge of Kano, applauded the ICPC’s proactive effort to combating corruption by prioritizing preventive measures. While enforcement and prosecution are important, she believes that prevention is a more long-term strategy because it addresses the core 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 emphasized the Kano State Judiciary’s efforts to guarantee accountability within its ranks, including the formation 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 told me.

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