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Following the result of its survey that showed N9.4bn bribes exchanged hands in the judicial sector between 2018 and 2020, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission has given reasons why it may not be able to prosecute those involved.
A senior research fellow at the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, an arm of the ICPC, Dr Elijah Okebukola, explained on a programme on 99.3
Nigeria Info in Lagos few days ago that the survey did not obtain evidence that could be used to prosecute anyone, as respondents were assured they would be anonymous.
He stressed that the essence of the survey was to gather data and information that could enable the ICPC to effectively combat the corruption in the country.
Corruption In Defence: Huriwa Seeks Action
Says National Assembly Panels Sound Like Broken Record
By Emmanuel Onwubiko Listen to article
Bemoaning the unprecedented GRANDSCALE of CORRUPTION and PERVASSIVE unethical procurement practices in most federal ministries and agencies of government, the nation s prominent Civil Rights Advocacy group-: HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) wonders why the Eonomic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences commission (ICPC) have been operationally incapacitated and polluted to fight the menace.
HURIWA calls the weakening of EFCC and ICPC by the All Progressives Congress dominated National government is an act of treachery and sabotage of a phenomenal height which must be dismantled so these institutions are allowed unfettered power to crush corrupt federal government officials destroying Nigeria now.
Daily Post Nigeria
Published
This was as HURIWA accused the National Assembly’s committees and investigative panels of soliciting bribes.
HURIWA made the claim against the backdrop of what it termed a grand scale of corruption and pervasive unethical procurement practices in most federal ministries and agencies.
A statement by the group’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated that the last five years have seen monumental proportions of corrupt practices and open theft of public funds by top placed officials under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Onwubiko, however, stressed that this trend may become worrisome and persistent in 2021 because the hierarchies of the anti-corruption agencies are not cut out nor are they professionally committed to stamp out corruption amongst top flight civil and public servants.
Nigeria: 72 Hours to End of Year - Buhari Yet to Assent to 2021 Budget allafrica.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from allafrica.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
It was learnt that pressure is being mounted on the president to sign the fiscal document so as not to give room for condemnation.
Buhari signed the 2020 appropriation bill into law on December 17, 2019, 12 days after it was passed by the National Assembly.
The document was later revised mid- 2020 following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, which battered the country’s economy.
The National Assembly had, during an emergency session convened last week Monday, passed a N13.58 trillion budget for the 2021 fiscal year.
Passed by NASS
The budget was passed after the two chambers considered and adopted the reports of its committees on the 2021 Appropriations bill.