By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has joined forces with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to improve the mandates of the two agencies in anti-corruption.
According to a statement signed by the commission’s Spokesperson Demola Bakare, the two agencies highlighted key strategies for collaboration to boost anti-corruption efforts when the Acting Controller General of the NCoS, Sylvester Ndidi Nwabuche, MFR, and his team paid a visit to the Chairman of the Commission Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu SAN, at his office in Abuja on Tuesday 18th February, 2025.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu SAN, in his remarks, appreciated the NCoS boss for the visit, he further highlighted key strategies for collaboration between both agencies, especially in the aspect of sensitization, training, and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
On a sensitization strategy, the ICPC boss reflected on the possibility of using ex-convicts to sensitize Nigerians on crime and corruption so that Nigerians know it is coming from real people who have been there.
Dr Aliyu also spoke about working on training where the two agencies will learn from one another just as he pointed out that whatever challenges being faced by the Commission and the Service would be discussed and addressed.
The ICPC Boss emphasised the need for a Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies to guide their relationship going forward.
In his earlier address, the NCoS Boss, Mr. Ndidi Nwabuchi, expressed strong belief in the prevention of corruption saying that informed the decision of the Correctional Service, under his leadership to initiate an interface with the ICPC.
In his words, “On 15 December 2024, I was appointed as the head of the service by President Tinubu. I felt I should reach out to agencies that impact one way or the other on my office and you are one of them. And I want to thank the Commission for its far-reaching value.
We are here to interface with you and deepen our relationship in the area of training and fighting corruption. Just like you, I am also an advocate of prevention.” he stressed.
Ndidi further added that the NCoS had had a very healthy and robust relationship with ICPC and that while it feels good about the recently published Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS) report from the Commission, it was ready to work with any framework given by the Commission to see how challenges can be overcome.
