The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been admitted into the Law Enforcement and Government Alliance (LEGA) programme of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) as an official Law Enforcement and Government Alliance Partner since September 2022.
The admittance ceremony was held at the ICPC Headquarters recently during a courtesy visit by officials of the Africa Academy for Counter Fraud and Anti-Corruption Studies (AACAS), the training and research arm of ACFE to the Commission, and featured the presentation of a Certificate of Recognition to the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, OFR.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of AACAS Advisory Council, Dr Rabiu Olowo, stated that LEGA presented an opportunity for law enforcement agencies at all levels to pool thoughts and resources in the war against corruption.
He also stated that the alliance would encourage information sharing, supporting agencies to improve their service delivery and boost productivity.
The Chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye in his remarks, appreciated AACAS for the visit while discussing the expectations of the Commission from the partnership as an anti-corruption stakeholder.
The Chairman reiterated that the Commission would not be caught in the middle of a power tussle as regards organisations who appear to offer similar capacity building services. In his words, “a law enforcement agency like ICPC should be non-aligned”.
The ICPC boss further stated the Commission would only engage with organisations that offer exceptional services at a reasonable cost. He maintained that the consumers will ultimately be the judge of the services offered by the AACAS observing that “an organisation that is adept at delivering services will be patronised irrespective of its location.”
Professor Owasanoye observed that it was imperative for AACAS and similar organisations not to duplicate functions as they scramble for validation, adding that law enforcement agencies are primed to gather skills that improve evidence gathering, which in turn helps them to function optimally.
The Chief Operating Officer of AACAS, Miss Oreoluwa Adegoke, and the Partnership/Business Development Manager, Miss Funmi Ajayi, anchored a presentation on the mission of the organisation as well as the services offered in relation to the Commission.
The meeting was attended by a board member, Honorable Olubukola Balogun, directors and other senior staff of the Commission.