The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN has stated that the role of traditional institutions in curbing corruption in Nigeria cannot be underestimated, referring to them as the custodians of the people.
Dr. Aliyu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, DSSRS, made the statement when he received the Etsu Kwali, His Royal Highness Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III, on a courtesy visit at the Commission’s Headquarters.
The ICPC boss observed that although, the roles of traditional institutions were not properly stipulated in the nation’s constitution, their relevance in ensuring a descent and orderly society where corruption and other challenges are widespread, could not be underestimated.
According to the Chairman, the Commission considers it necessary to partner with the traditional rulers in combatting corrupt activities, especially at the community level.
Earlier in his remarks, the Etsu Kwali, Chairman, Council of Chiefs of the Kwali Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, said he was at ICPC Headquarters to seek collaboration and support in the area of profiling all public projects located within the area council, lamenting that his community was being regarded as the under-developed part of the FCT due to neglect of government establishments that do not usually develop lands allocated to them in the area.
The Monarch expressed confidence in the Commission’s ability to help stir up development in the Kwali Chiefdom, adding that ICPC must be commended for its relentless anti-corruption efforts in the country. He informed his host that he ascended the throne of the chiefdom in May, 2024 and since then he has been visiting relevant agencies in the FCT for the purpose of forging partnership that could stimulate development in his community.
In his response, Mr. Aliyu assured the traditional ruler of the Commission’s readiness to partner with the chiefdom in areas that are permitted by the law, explaining that the ICPC as an anti-graft agency is mandated to do a specific job of fighting corruption and that the roles of the Commission are already defined, making it difficult to go outside it. According to him, although the Commission shares in the community’s challenges, it can only assist where the law allows.
The ICPC helmsman thanked the royal father and his entourage for visiting the Commission and congratulated him for ascending the throne of the Chiefdom. He urged the young monarch to use his exposure and youthfulness for the development of his people.