ICPC prosecuting 524 public officers – Chairman

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission is currently prosecuting 524 public officers across the country on corruption charges, its Chairman, Ekpo Nta, has said.
Nta disclosed this on Tuesday in Kaduna at at the opening of a three-day workshop on anti corruption, organised for local government officials in Kaduna State.
He said: “The Commission has received and investigated thousands of petitions.
“As at today, there are no less than 278 cases in court involving 524 persons.”
Represented by Alhaji Balarabe Mohammed, the state ICPC Coordinator, the chairman advised local council officials, especially chairmen of local governments, to be models of integrity to avoid arrest by anti-graft agencies.
Nta said that local council officials were the closest to the people and as such they must develop responsible traits worthy of emulation.
He said the workshop was organised as part of the commission’s public education programme to encourage local council officials to do the right thing.
He said: “It is imperative to imbibe zero tolerance for corruption as well as equip one self with the requisite skill and knowledge to carry the fight against corruption to the grass roots.”
He urged the participants to make transparency their watch word and subject themselves to constant scrutiny.
He added: “I suggest you conduct regular monitoring and deal promptly with infractions of processes and procedures.
“Trouble shoot hot spots and regularly institute preventive action in high risk areas by your selves, so as to ward-off the prowling eyes of anti-graft agencies.
“You must continue to raise awareness of quality service delivery and integrity through regular internal training programmes such as this in your operations.
“As public officials, we must develop personal service ethics and design official code of conduct of work for our organisations.”
Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State, in his address, said the workshop was organised to increase productivity and enhance financial management at the local government level.
Represented by the Secretary to the state Government, Alhaji Hamza Danmahawayi, the governor also said the forum would guide local officials to develop the required integrity to earn public trust.
Yero reiterated the determination of the administration to public-oriented projects, peaceful coexistence and security of life and property.
Alhaji Aliyu Waziri, the Chairman of Chikun Local Government Area, who spoke on behalf of the participants, pledged to utilise whatever they learnt to advance the cause of local administration.
Waziri said: “These are people with experience.
“They are here to guide us on how to operate local government administration and have full control on how to eradicate corruption and give our children a future.”