The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called on accounting bodies in Nigeria to sanction members who violate professional standards.
Dr. Aliyu made this appeal on while addressing the executive members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), led by its President, Chief Davidson C.S. Alaribe, FCA, during a courtesy visit to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja.
The ICPC Chairman emphasized that such sanctions would help prevent corrupt practices before they occur. He highlighted the importance of using technology to combat corruption, noting that it is a crucial tool for mitigating corruption in the country.
He stressed the need for ICPC and ICAN to collaborate to ensure accountability and transparency in the public sector, stating that accountants play a strategic role in preventing theft in public offices. “ICPC and ICAN must come together to block all opportunities people leverage to steal,”.
Dr. Aliyu assured his guests of the ICPC’s readiness to collaborate with ICAN, emphasizing that no anti-corruption agency can succeed without the support of other relevant stakeholders and individuals of proven integrity.
Chief Davidson Alaribe, speaking on the purpose of their visit, proposed collaboration in the fight against corruption stressing that the Institute was willing to train ICPC officers in accounting forensics and other financial crimes investigation techniques to enhance the Commission’s capacity to combat corruption effectively.
The ICAN President who led some members of his executive on the visit stated emphatically “To effectively combat the menace of corruption, a collective effort is imperative,”
He added that this collaboration with the ICPC would underscore their mutual commitment to integrity and accountability, fostering a vigorous exchange of ideas that could spark innovative anti-corruption strategies and strengthen Nigeria’s economic framework.
Alaribe noted that capacity building would empower the ICPC to conduct more detailed audits, enhance financial oversight, and adhere to standardized investigative protocols. In a humorous tone, he remarked, “If there are witches in the village, those who want to fight them must be fortified to avoid casualties.”
The ICAN President lamented the negative reputation that corruption has given Nigeria internationally, citing instances where Nigerians face embarrassment and deportation due to the country’s tarnished image.
He concluded by inviting Dr. Aliyu to the 54th Annual Accountants’ Conference, themed “Governance Reimagined: Mapping the Future,” scheduled for October 2024 in Nigeria.
He also requested the ICPC Chairman to sponsor officers of the Commission to attend the conference, stating that “ICPC’s involvement will not only enrich the conference experience but will also reinforce our joint efforts, leading to substantial advances in public financial management and governance.”
