Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is advocating for more tactical and technology-driven measures in the fight against corruption, as financial crimes continue to evolve in sophistication.
This information was contained in a statement signed by the Commission’s Spokesperson, Demola Bakare, on Monday.
According to the statement, this call was made during a high-level meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation Team in Abuja on April 14, 2025.
The IMF delegation, visiting Nigeria at the request of the Federal Government, engaged with ICPC officials to evaluate the country’s progress in anti-corruption reforms amid its annual economic review.
ICPC Secretary Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu emphasized the Commission’s commitment to combating corruption through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other agencies.
During the presentation, Deputy Director of the ICPC’s Planning, Research, and Statistics Department, Mr. Richard Bello outlined the Commission’s ongoing initiatives under Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.
He highlighted recent successful investigations into procurement fraud and money laundering that have resulted in multiple prosecutions since January 2024. “Our intelligence-driven operations have successfully disrupted illicit financial flows and recovered significant public funds,” Bello stated.
Despite the progress, Bello pointed out critical challenges hindering the Commission’s efforts, such as limitations in digital forensics and delays in international legal processes.
The meeting, attended by key ICPC directors and the Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, underscored the urgent need for data-driven, collaborative approaches to address systemic corruption.
The IMF team, led by Mr. Jonathan Pampolina, explored the ICPC’s Corruption Risk Assessment methodology and discussed necessary legal reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.
