The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has warned the citizenry not to put excessive pressure on public office holders as this is a major challenge in the fight against corruption.
ICPC Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of Lagos State Office, Mr Kabir Elelu, who stated this recently during a Media Roundtable titled Strengthening Anti-Corruption Reforms in Lagos State, also noted the need to strengthen anti-corruption reforms involving the media to amplify the fight against corruption.
The Roundtable was organised by the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) in collaboration with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance and Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC).
Mr Elelu further stated “corruption manifests in situations where there is immense pressure on officials, with ample opportunity and access to public assets, coupled with rationalisation for flouting the law. Corruption thrives in situations where officials hold exclusive positions and wide discretion in conducting government business.”
Mr. Debo Adeniran, chairman of CACOL, in his address, emphasised that collaboration amongst government agencies would assist in promoting accountability and transparency in governance.
Also, the Commissioner of Information, Lagos State stressed that the fight against corruption must start from the family and society too must ask the source of wealth of members of the community.
The Lagos State Project Co-ordinator of RoLAC, Mrs Ajibola Ijimakinwa, in her remarks promised that “RoLAC will collaborate with ICPC on the Students’ Anti-Corruption Clubs initiative, as it will go a long way in tackling corruption at the early stage of life”.
Mr Philip Jakpor of Renevlyn Development Initiative said “Since students are trained to speak up, there is need to strengthen the Clubs, as they can speak up against corruption in their schools”.