The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confiscated 14 buildings, 25 plots of land, and three farmlands suspected to be proceeds of crimes in the northwestern part of Nigeria.
Additionally, the commission reported that in cash recoveries, it recovered ₦7.269 billion in the Northwest and ₦43.335 million in the Northeast, with a total of $1.066 million also recovered in the North-West.
According to Solace base, the Commission Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Kano, at a one-day engagement with selected media practitioners in the North-West and North-East titled, “From Resistance to Results: Citizens and Media Leading the Anti-Corruption Fight.”
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According to him, ‘’a total of 1,440 projects were tracked, valued at approximately ₦271.054 billion. Of these, 767 projects valued at ₦112.737 billion were in the Northeast, and 673 projects valued at ₦158.317 billion were in the Northwest. ‘’
‘’But the real story in project tracking is this: citizens and journalists who flagged abandoned projects made these interventions possible, ensuring resources reached the intended beneficiaries,’’ he said.
Dr. Aliyu said the mandate of the commission rests on three pillars: enforcement, prevention, and public education. This is in line with Section 6 of the ICPC Act, 2000.
He said today’s engagement is designed to strengthen the third pillar—mobilising citizens in the North-West and North-East to stand against corruption.
The ICPC Chairman said a UNODC-NBS survey reveals that the North-West recorded the highest bribe refusal rate in the country at 76%, while the North-East recorded 60%.
He noted that this shows that ordinary people are willing to stand their ground against corruption, ‘’We at the ICPC salute this steadfastness.’’
‘’Equally encouraging is the growing courage to report corruption. Reports of bribery in the Northern zones rose from 4.7% in 2019 to 13.4% in 2023. More importantly, the share of these reports leading to formal action has almost tripled, from 16% in 2019 to 43% in 2023. These are not just statistics—they tell real stories of Nigerians refusing to be exploited.
For us to consolidate these gains, we must partner with you—the media. People in these two zones listen to your voices, read your analysis, and follow your reports.
Your platforms are powerful channels for spreading anti-corruption messages and bridging the gap between citizens and the Commission.’’
The anti-graft Czar added that preventing corruption in these regions is not just about governance, it is about peace, trust, and development, hence by strengthening ICPC’s capacity, ‘’we are not only blocking leakages but also ensuring that resources reach citizens who need them most.
He therefore appealed to the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the Whistleblower Bill, which will empower citizens to report corruption without fear.
I also appeal to you—the media—to support our efforts through investigative journalism, holding leaders accountable with facts, and avoiding sensationalism that could undermine trust in our collective fight.
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