At the instance of the governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke,the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices And other Related Offences Commission (ICPC),Dr. Musa Aliyu,SAN paid a courtesy visit to Osun State today the 15th of July 2024.
Find below Dr.Aliyu’s speech at the Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding Between ICPC and Osun State Government at Government House, Osogbo, Osun State:
Protocol:
The Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency Senator Ademola Adeleke;
the Deputy Governor of Osun State; Secretary to the Osun State Government; The Chief of Staff; Honourable Commissioners;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
1/ It is with great honour and a profound sense of responsibility that I stand before you today at this significant event, marking the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Osun State Government. This collaboration embodies our collective resolve to combat corruption and foster a culture of integrity and accountability in Osun State.
2/ I want to take this moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency Senator Ademola Adeleke, for his unwavering support and commitment to making this event a reality.
3/ The United Nations Convention against Corruption
(UNCAC) in Article 5(2) mandates that “Each state party shall endeavour to establish and promote effective practices aimed at the prevention of corruption.” Similarly, the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) enshrines the principle that “The State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.” These foundational texts provide a clear directive: corruption in any form must be eradicated for our nation to thrive.
4/ Section 6 (b-f) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act empowers our Commission to undertake a comprehensive range of activities. We are tasked with evaluating and reviewing public bodies’ practices, systems, and procedures to identify and mitigate fraud or corruption. We instruct, advise, and assist officers, agencies, and parastatals in combating these issues. We recommend necessary changes to reduce bribery and corruption, educate the public on related offences, and garner public support in this vital fight. These provisions have been affirmed by the Supreme Court in the case of the Attorney General of Ondo State v Attorney General of the Federation and Others, reinforcing our mandate.
5/ Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Osun State Government is a historic step forward.
Leveraging the directives of UNCAC, our Constitution (as amended), and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, we commit to a robust partnership focused on anti-corruption initiatives, public education, and activities designed to enhance integrity and accountability within Osun State.
6/ As the Chairman of the ICPC and a former State Attorney General, I firmly believe that the fight against corruption cannot be won by any single individual or agency. It requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders in the three tiers of government. Our collaboration with the Osun State Government is a testament to this belief. Together, we will galvanise support, implement necessary preventive measures, and adopt a more effective strategy in our battle against corruption. This also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for “improved governance for effective service delivery.”
7/ In conclusion, let us remember that our success in combating corruption is not merely for the present generation but also for the future of our beloved nation. By working together, we can create a society where integrity, transparency, and accountability are the norms. I am confident that we will achieve our goals with the commitment and cooperation of all parties involved.
Thank you.