By ISAAC AREGBESOLA

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recovered over N52 billion and 966,900.83 U.S. dollars in the last one year.

The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), disclosed this, on Tuesday in Abuja, at an event to mark his one year anniversary as the Chairman of ICPC.

Aliyu said that the commission also intercepted and stopped the diversion of N5.882 billion in 323 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) within the same period.

He attributed the significant milestone achievement to the steadfast commitment to the rule of law, adaptation to evolving trends and equipping its workforce with ICT capacity in the fight against corruption.

?The current administration?s anti-corruption agenda and my own policy thrust encapsulated in the acronym ?CARE? for impact, have further motivated the Commission to enhance its tools, approaches, and engagements.

?I am therefore bold and proud to reflect on the modest progress we have made and the challenges we have overcome so far.

?These accomplishments include notable asset recoveries, enforcement actions, and initiatives promoting transparency and good governance.

?For instance, through its Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), the Commission continues to ensure accountability in government funds and delivery of tangible benefits of democracy to citizens across Nigeria,? he said.

Aliyu said that in the area of asset recovery, ?29.70 billion in cash was recovered and presently domiciled in ICPC recovery accounts.

He said that in the same vein ?10.98 billion in VAT was recovered and remitted to FIRS, while N10 billion COVID-19 vaccine fund meant for production of vaccine was remitted to the treasury.

The ICPC chairman further stated that the commission also recovered value of assets to the tune of N2.5 billion through various courts? order of final forfeiture.

Aliyu added that $966,900.83, was also retrieved and kept secured in the ICPC-CBN account balance brought forward.

He explained that the commission intercepted over N5 billion while conducting Systems Study and Review (SSR) of the MDAs through its Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS).

?As part of its commitment to institutional accountability, the Commission assessed 323 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) through its Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS).

?It also established 80 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) across MDAs to reinforce its anti-corruption efforts.

?While doing these, the Commission stopped the diversion of public funds to the tune of ?5.882 billion,? he said.

Aliyu disclosed that the report of the EICS exercise conducted in the middle of this year was ready and would also be released to the public through the media.

Aliyu said the commission had just completed the tracking of 1,500 projects nationwide, valued at N610 billion, under CEPTI Phase 7.

?Upon completion of tracking field work last week, follow-up activities are ongoing and the report is being collated.

?However, the report of the Phase 6 exercise conducted about this same time last year is ready and will be released to the public today,? he added.

On the petitions received by the agency, he said that the ICPC had processed 851 petitions, with 342 assigned for investigation, 95 fully investigated, 72 cases filed in court, and 16 convictions secured.

?In this regard, we are streamlining our processes to ensure faster and more effective prosecution of cases, leading to the resuscitation of 10 to 15-year-old cases in courts.

?We have also advanced the fight against sexual harassment and corruption in educational institutions and public offices, achieving ongoing prosecutions and increased public support,? the ICPC chairman said. (NAN)

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