The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, has called on the National Assembly to pass the Whistleblower Protection Policy Bill into law to bolster the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Dr Aliyu made the appeal during a roundtable discussion with state attorneys-general from the North West, held in Kano on Monday.
The meeting focused on strengthening ICPC’s capacity for corruption prevention.
He emphasized that passing the bill would encourage individuals to report corrupt practices without fear of retaliation. “Let me use this occasion to call on the National Assembly to pass the Whistleblower Bill into law so that those wishing to expose corrupt practices will have the confidence to do so,” Aliyu said.
The ICPC Chairman also urged Nigerians to resist and report bribery demands from public officials. “No single individual or government can fight corruption alone; we need to come together to tackle this issue,” he added, noting that ICPC will continue collaborating with stakeholders to combat corruption within the bounds of the law.
Dr Aliyu further called on attorneys-general in the North West to work closely with the ICPC to enhance accountability and transparency systems that benefit citizens.
“Under Section 6 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act, ICPC is empowered to investigate and prosecute corruption across all sectors of public service, but your support and local knowledge are vital to making this effort more effective,” he explained.
The roundtable reiterated the importance of a united approach in fighting corruption, with Dr Aliyu highlighting the prevalence of bribery in public utilities, law enforcement, and administrative services.
Justice Mohammed Lawal Shaibu, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal in Sokoto, also addressed the gathering, urging anti-corruption agencies to intensify their efforts against corruption.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, reaffirming a collective commitment to tackling corruption in Nigeria.