The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged for enhanced strategic and tech-focused methods to tackle corruption, reflecting the growing complexity of financial crimes.
The request was put forward on Monday during an advanced meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation Team in Abuja.
The team from the IMF, which was asked to visit Nigeria by the federal government, had discussions with representatives from the ICPC to evaluate the advancements made in anti-corruption efforts and governance practices as they conducted their yearly economic assessment.
Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oporaodu, who represents the Commission as the ICPC Secretary at DSSRS, reiterated the organization’s dedication to combating corruption via intelligence-driven initiatives and collaborative efforts among different agencies.
During a presentation called “Nigeria—International Monetary Fund Hybrid Article IV Consultation Exercise,” Richard Bello, who serves as the Deputy Director of the ICPC’s Planning, Research, and Statistics Department, detailed the commission’s strategic initiatives led by Chairman Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.
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Richard Bello pointed out that the ICPC continues to concentrate on reducing the severe effects of corruption on Nigeria’s economy, societal structure, and public administration.
He pointed out major ongoing inquiries into procurement fraud, embezzlement, misuse of authority, and money laundering, resulting in multiple indictments since January 2024.
As he stated, “Our intelligence-led initiatives have effectively halted illegal monetary activities and reclaimed substantial public monies.”
He emphasized, “We remain committed to bolstering relationships with crucial allies such as the EFCC, NFIU, CCB, and INTERPOL to enhance intelligence exchange and law enforcement.”
Richard Bello additionally pointed out how the Commission increasingly depends on digital instruments and sophisticated analysis techniques for collecting evidence and monitoring cases.
Nevertheless, he highlighted major obstacles hindering advancement, such as limitations in Digital Forensic capabilities. These constraints include exorbitant costs associated with licenses for digital forensics software, limiting the commission’s ability to expand investigation efforts. Additionally, he mentioned the withdrawal of certain services; notably, the discontinuation of Cellebrite’s forensic services in Nigeria, leading to substantial voids in digital investigative operations.
He highlighted Cross-Border Legal Challenges, including hold-ups in Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) procedures and strict international regulations, which are obstructing the obtaining of evidence in cross-border corruption investigations.
Led by Jonathan Pampolina from the IMF and Ms Nneka Ikechukwu from the Federal Ministry of Finance, the team examined the Integrity Commission’s risk assessment methods for corruption along with the wider legal changes required to bolster Nigeria’s anticorruption policies.
The gathering emphasized the critical importance of implementing evidence-based and cooperative strategies to address widespread corruption. Attendees included department heads from major divisions within the ICPC, such as the leader of ACAN—the anti-corruption education wing of the commission—along with others. These details were provided in an official statement penned by Demola Bakare, who serves as both the Director of Public Enlightenment and Education and Spokesperson for the organization.
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