The Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Hameem Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi CFR, has pledged the support of the Dutse Emirate and its traditional council to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in its campaign against corruption in Jigawa State.
The Emir made the commitment when the Kano and Jigawa State offices of the ICPC paid a courtesy visit to his palace, where both sides discussed ways of strengthening collaboration between the anti-corruption agency and traditional institutions.
Alhaji Hameem commended the Commission for its efforts to promote probity and accountability, stressing that the fight against corruption required the collective participation of Nigerians and could not be left solely to statutory agencies.
He emphasised the influence of traditional institutions in promoting ethical values within communities and expressed his readiness to support initiatives aimed at strengthening integrity and accountability in the state.
The Emir also commended the ICPC’s whistle-blower policy, but called for stronger measures to protect the identities and information provided by whistle-blowers.
He warned that inadequate protection could create fear among citizens and discourage them from reporting corrupt practices.
Earlier, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Kano and Jigawa states, Ahmad Muhammad Wada Esq., explained the mandate and activities of the Commission, saying the engagement was aimed at strengthening institutional relations with traditional authorities and identifying areas of collaboration.
Wada stressed the importance of integrity, personal values and professional ethics in preventing corruption, noting that the Commission was seeking to deepen public awareness and promote ethical conduct across communities.
Addressing the concern over whistle-blower protection, the Resident Commissioner cited Section 64 of the ICPC Act, which provides safeguards for information and informants.
He said the legal provision was designed to give citizens confidence to provide information on corrupt practices without fear.
The engagement ended with the Dutse Emir and members of his traditional council reaffirming their support for the Commission’s activities in Jigawa State.
The proposed areas of collaboration include joint public enlightenment campaigns, community engagement programmes and the possible establishment of integrity committees within traditional institutions to serve as early-warning mechanisms against corrupt practices.
The ICPC is expected to replicate similar engagements with other traditional institutions across the country as part of its broader strategy to strengthen grassroots participation in the fight against corruption.
