The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), has stated that corruption in Nigeria extends beyond the act of stealing public money. He described it as any form of deviation from the rule of law or due process.
Dr. Aliyu made this known in Abuja on Thursday while delivering a paper titled “Understanding Anti-Corruption Laws and Their Implications for Local Government Officials” at the 2025 National Summit of the Association of Chairmen of Local Government Service Commissions in Nigeria.
The event, themed “Strengthening Local Government Administration in Nigeria,” brought together policymakers, local government leaders, and anti-corruption experts from across the country to discuss measures that would enhance transparency and accountability in local governance.
Represented by his Special Assistant on Legal Matters, Zainab Nass, the ICPC boss said corruption affects every sector of the country — including schools, markets, and private organisations — and not just government institutions.
“Corruption is not just about stealing money; it is anything that deviates from the rule. It is corruption not to follow due process,” Dr. Aliyu said.
He urged Nigerians to embrace integrity, transparency, and respect for the law in all aspects of life, adding that genuine national development can only be achieved when both citizens and institutions act responsibly.
According to Okay News, the ICPC chairman also reflected on Nigeria’s long battle against corruption, noting that earlier efforts such as the Ethical Revolution, War Against Indiscipline and Corruption, and MAMSER failed because they lacked proper legal structures and continuity.
Aliyu explained that the creation of the ICPC in 2000 marked a turning point in Nigeria’s anti-corruption war by establishing a legal framework for prevention, investigation, and prosecution of corruption cases.
He stated that the Commission’s activities revolve around three core pillars — enforcement, prevention, and public education. He mentioned that initiatives like Corruption Risk Assessments, Systems Studies and Reviews, and the setting up of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units in government institutions have strengthened integrity across public offices.
Dr. Aliyu also noted that Nigeria continues to align with international anti-corruption conventions, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, and the Financial Action Task Force Standards.
While addressing local government officials, he reminded them that all public servants, whether elected or appointed, must adhere to ethical conduct and transparency in their duties. He warned that acts such as financial mismanagement, record falsification, nepotism, and abuse of office now attract severe legal penalties under Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws.
Aliyu cited the 2024 Supreme Court judgment in Attorney-General of the Federation v. Attorney-Generals of Abia State & 35 Others, which invalidated the dissolution of democratically elected local councils by state governors. He described the ruling as a “new dawn for grassroots governance.”
“We are now in the regime of asset recovery — taking back what was taken. Local governments must ensure that public funds serve the people, not private interests,” he said.
He concluded by calling on local council leaders to uphold integrity, accountability, and effective service delivery, stressing that the progress of the nation depends largely on how well local governments manage public resources for the benefit of citizens.
