The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has advised public servants to acquaint themselves with all relevant laws against corruption as ignorance is not an acceptable excuse when any of them is charged for corruption.
Director and Head of Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Department (CMED), Mr. Akeem Lawal, fsi, gave this advice at an Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) sensitization workshop for Directors of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Mr. Lawal, while delivering a paper titled: Overview of Anti-Corruption Laws in Nigeria: Obligations and Roles of Public Officers told the participants to seize the opportunity of the workshop to learn the provisions of the laws guiding the operations of ICPC, EFCC, Code of Conduct, as well as the Public Procurement and Money Laundering laws.
Speaking on the subject of gifts to public officers in the line of duty, Mr. Lawal said workers ought to exercise a great deal of wisdom when such offers are made. According to him, accepting gifts can influence their decisions as senior officers and lead them to corruption.
He further charged the participants to serve the public with transparency, honesty and integrity saying the progress of Nigeria lies on the shoulders of public servants.
To the management of the Ministry, he said that unethical conduct and infractions by workers should be fairly, objectively and quickly dealt with while good conduct should be rewarded to encourage good behaviour.
Mr. Lawal also called on the management to support the ACTU of the ministry saying they are not “snitches” but are there to provide guidance.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Ifeoma Nkiruka Anagbogu, in her remarks, expressed her appreciation for the work of the ACTU in the ministry.
She advised the directors on the importance of the workshop: “Cascade all the learning and information you get here today to your subordinates so that we can all work towards making the Ministry corruption-free”.