ICPC ICPC NEWS ISSN 0794-9510 An authoritative publication of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission

Volume 6 No.2 June, 2011 “Corruption Must Go” ...Join the battle

OUR OWN INDIFFERENCE ENCOURAGES CORRUPTION- ABANG - WUSHISHI

ICPC MEMBER ELECTED CHAIRMAN, AFRICAN UNION ADVISORY BOARD ON CORRUPTION

ICPC ARRAIGNS 4 OFFICERS OF THE POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION IN COURT

ELECTORAL OFFICER CHARGED TO COURT

FORMER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN LOSES APPEAL TO OVERTURN JAIL SENTENCE

TWO FEDERAL OFFICIALS ARRAIGNED OVER N16M CONTRACT SCAM

ICPC SET TO ARRAIGN OYO STATE COMMISSIONER

CRISIS IN THE JUDICIARY: NBA APPROACHES ICPC FOR HELP

ICPC PARTNERS WITH FTA ON TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY INDEX

2011 GENERAL ELECTIONS; ICPC SENDS 74 OBSERVERS

PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT DEPARTMENT ORGANISES WORKSHOP FOR ITS STAFF

ICPC PRESENTS 2011 BUDGET PROPOSAL BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE

CROWN AGENTS U.K SEEK COLLABORATION WITH ICPC There is need to allow the rule of law to

CITIZENS' FORUM ON PARTICIPATORY operate unhindered, to stop pointing BUDGET HOLDS IN fingers at each other and point instead ICPC HOSTS BOOK READING EVENT in the direction of progress. ICPC TRAINS NYSC MEMBERS NATIONWIDE

ICPC PARLEYS WITH ACTUs Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. President, Federal Republic of FIVE ANTI-CORRUPTION CLUBS INAUGURATED IN ALKALERI LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF BAUCHI STATE From the Chairman’s Desk EDITORIAL BOARD

Corruption and other related offences are Editorial Consultant - Folu Olamiti major impediments to good governance Editor-in-Chief - Mike Sowe and a bane to national development. Editor - Eneji Ekawu Deputy Editor - Faison Mark Achieving success in tackling this cankerworm is dependent upon a very ASSISTANT EDITORS strong political will of our leaders John Odey - especially the president. We in the ICPC Suleiman Achile - Lokoja therefore believe that the electorate could Obinna Oforah be largely convinced through a forum to ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR vote a Presidential Candidate perceived to Ingobro Winifred have the potency to combat corruption through a realizable strategic plan. CORRESPONDENTS Chinwe Nwozor - Enugu ...The ICPC is saddened by the fact that Samuel David - Makurdi some of our leaders in the past had no Femi Gold specific anti-corruption blue print with Anike Adeshina Mary Atabo which to facilitate and fast track the Hauwa Garba effective and efficient fight against Hauwa Madu corruption. For the fight against Mustapha Hussain corruption to succeed, it has to be Alson Borom institutional, systematic and pragmatic Maryam Mu’azu and not based on guess work. We therefore Ani Chinenye consider it our duty as the arrow head in Bello Ibrahim - Bauchi Sani Tarauni - Sokoto the fight against corruption to challenge Confidence Onwuchuruba our prospective leaders to develop Sunmonu Opeyemi realizable anti-corruption framework in Condita Uwaya order to make the national crusade against corruption more effective and purposeful. PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS James Hananiah Solomon Kogi AIG (rtd) Dr. Rose Abang-Wushishi Peter Oluwadare Acting Chairman, ICPC GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRINTS Macpat Ventures 08033174854

ICPC NEWS is a Publication of the INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES AND OTHER RELATED OFFENCES COMMISSION (ICPC) For further information contact: Mike Sowe, Head of Public Enlightenment Department, ICPC Headquarters or any of the following staff of the department * WINIFRED 08034155406, * ADESHINA 08072299292, * ENEJI 08055457877, *FAISON 08055083968 Plot 802 Constitution Avenue Zone A9 Central Area P.M.B. 535, Garki Abuja. Phone: 09-6286717, 09-6286694, 09-6286956 Fax: 09-6286717, 09-6286691 Website: www.icpc.gov.ng, e-mail:[email protected] , [email protected] 2 MAJOR STORIES

OUR OWN INDIFFERENCE ENCOURAGES CORRUPTION ABANG - WUSHISHI

By Winifred Ingobro and Confidence C. will run a transparent government that would Onwuchuruba ensure mass participation in governance while The acting Chairman of the Independent encouraging individual innovation to empower Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences citizens economically and prevent them from Commission (ICPC), Dr. Rose Abang- depending on fraudulent means for survival. Wushishi(AIG rtd) has said that the accomplice Chief Dele Momodu of the NCP said his to corruption is the indifference of citizens to party will empower the police to better fight crime various acts of corruption in the society. and corruption and will never use public funds to Dr. Wushishi made the observation in her finance private projects. He also said his party will address at the 2011 Presidential Anti- Corruption address the economic needs of the people, for Interactive Forum organized by the ICPC for when the people are adequately provided for, the presidential aspirants at the Nicon Luxury hotel incidence of corruption will be reduced. in Abuja shortly before the 2011 general Chief Oyegun on his part said his party elections. symbolizes zero tolerance for corruption and that The ICPC boss explained that the forum all offenders will be duly punished without fear or was organized by the Commission to create an favour. He emphasized that transparency in opportunity for the electorates to listen to the government would be a major agenda of his party. anti-corruption agenda of each party and ask Mr. Sony Ugochukwu said Mallam Nuhu informed questions which would help them to Ribadu of the ACN would build 1,000,000 houses vote for the right candidate "The Forum per year to address the primary need of man which specifically seeks to guide the public in general is shelter and that the past record of the presidential and the electorate in particular on which aspirant as the EFCC chairman speaks for him as a presidential candidate has the most realizable, man of integrity. comprehensive and pragmatic anti-corruption During the interactive session, all the agenda." She said. candidates objected to death penalty as the solution Dr. Wushishi pointed out that "Corruption for corruption, saying it is an extreme measure that and other related offences are major does not necessarily achieve the intended impediments to good governance and a bane to objective. Mr. Ugochukwu said if more stringent national development, therefore, achieving measures were adopted as punishment for success in tackling this cankerworm is corruption and agencies responsible for fighting dependent upon a very strong political will of our this menace are adequately empowered, the leaders especially the President", adding that chances of a corrupt person being apprehended is through the Forum, the electorate would as high as 90%.. convincingly vote a presidential candidate On how to make the economy more perceived to be ready to fight corruption. buoyant, Dele Momodu said he would create more Although the forum was organized for all access to credit facilities and cut down on the presidential candidates of the various government recurrent spending so as to channel political parties, only two of the presidential more money into appropriate development candidates were present; Chief Dele Momodu, projects. Yahaya Ndu emphasized qualitative the Presidential Candidate for National education as the basic agenda of his party and the Conscience Party (NCP) and Mr. Yahaya Ndu, diversification of the economy to encourage candidate for African Renaissance Party (ARP) development in all fields of human endeavor. while the presidential candidate for Action The Forum was divided into two sessions. Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Mallam Nuhu During the first session, the candidates were given Ribadu was represented by his campaign the opportunity to present their anti-corruption Coordinator, Mr. Sony Ugochukwu and that of agenda to the audience while the members of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Alhaji audience were given opportunity to ask questions Ibrahim Shekarau was represented by his based on the presentation of the candidates in the running mate, Chief John Oyegun. second session. Mr. Yahaya Ndu while presenting his Party's Anti-corruption Agenda said the ARP

3 MAJOR STORIES (Cont’d)

ICPC MEMBER ELECTED CHAIRMAN, ICPC ARRAIGNS 4 OFFICERS OF THE AFRICAN UNION ADVISORY BOARD ON POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION CORRUPTION IN COURT

By Folu Olamiti By Mike Sowe A member of the Independent Corrupt Four officers of the Police Service Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Abuja were billed to appear in court Commission (ICPC), Dame Julie Onum- on 20th April 2011 to answer 14 charges brought Nwariaku has been appointed Chairman of the against them by the ICPC for inserting pseudo African Union Advisory Board on Preventing names into the pay roll of the Commission Corruption. between may 2009 and march 2010. Mrs. Nwariaku is the only Nigerian in the The officers who are staff of the Accounts 11 man committee set up by the African Union at Division of the Commission include Jonathan the16th ordinary session of the Assembly held in Abutu Attah, Francis Nwabundu, Imam Yaqub Addis Abbas, Ethiopia in January 2011. Other Ishaq and Mrs Ramatu Ibrahim .They are alleged countries represented in the advisory board are to have illegally enrinched themselves to the tune Ghana, Kenya, Malawi Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, of millions of naira by inputting ghost names into South , Burundi and Ethiopia. the pay roll of the Commission. Before her election as Chairman,the ICPC investigators discovered that the African Union in her letter of appointment to the suspects used various bank accounts with the board indicated that Mrs. Nwariaku and others United Bank for Africa(UBA), Intercontinental would serve for two years on the board and shall Bank, Guarantee Trust Bank(GTB), and Zenith be eligible for re-election for one more term after Bank to perpetrate the crime. It was established the expiration of the first term. during investigation that the scam was initiated by In the letter signed by Mr. Ben Kioko, Jonathan Abutu Attah, the schedule officer in Legal Council/Director of the AU, Mrs. charge of Salary Mandate Register at the Central Nwariaku and other members of the Advisory Pay Office of the Police Service Commission board on corruption are charged, inter alia, in Abuja. He is said to be the main beneficiary of the terms of article 22 of the African Union fraud. Convention on preventing and combating Francis Nwabundu, the schedule officer corruption, “with the promotion of and the with the internal audit in charge of vetting payment adoption of anti-corruption measures on the vouchers is accused of passing salary payment continent.” The Advisory board is also expected vouchers to the Central Pay Office while to collate and document information on the deliberately refusing to detect the pseudo names he nature and scope of corruption and related knew had been fraudulently inserted into the pay offences in Africa as well as advise government roll. on how to deal with the scourge of corruption and Imam Yaqub Ishaq the schedule officer related offences in their domestic jurisdictions. with the Salary Unit in charge of entering pay roll “your responsibilities as a member of the into the Vote Book is being charged with African Union Advisory Board on corruption are deliberately refusing to detect the pseudo names of immense importance and I have no doubt that while passing the Personnel Vote Book to the your election and appointment confirms the Internal Audit for checking. confidence the African Union has in you in Mrs Ramatu Ibrahim, the head of Salary relation to your new responsibilities. I am Unit in charge of printing out and inputting the confident that you will effectively discharge salary schedule into the Commission's computer is your mandate, as stipulated in the convention accused of deliberately and knowingly inputting and work assiduously to prevent and combat three pseudo names into the Salary Schedule and corruption in Africa,” the letter stated. Pay Roll between may 2009 and February 2010. The four accused persons were to appear before Justice Ishaq Bello of the FCT High Court.

4 ELECTORAL OFFICER CHARGED FORMER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN TO COURT LOSES APPEAL TO OVERTURN JAIL SENTENCE By Mark Faison The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has By Femi Gold charged the Chief Electoral Officer of the Delta The former Chairman of Lagos Island State Independent Electoral Commission Local Government, Prince Lukman Ajose has lost (DSIEC), Mr. Victor Nwabueze and two others his legal battle to quash the jail sentence slammed to Court on a 10 count charge of criminal on him for conferring corrupt advantage on conspiracy, making false statements, abuse of himself. office and making false entry in a document with Ajose, who was arraigned in 2007 by the intent to conceal a crime. Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related The three accused persons, Mr. Victor Offences Commission (ICPC) based on petition Nwabueze Obi, Chief Electoral Officer DSIEC, against him alleging various acts of corrupt Mr. Enwenede Solomon, the Education practices was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment Secretary, Isoko South Local Government Area, without option of fine. Delta State and Victor Eterigho, Councilor In one of the charges filed against him, the sworn-in for Uzere 06 Ward of Isoko Local former local government chairman was said to Government Area of Delta State, had conspired have converted about N2m to his personal use among themselves in May 2008 at Oleh, Delta under the guise of spending same to attend State to make false statement to the effect that seminars and conferences. Councillorship election was conducted at Uzere Even though he pleaded not guilty to the 06 ward of Isoko South on 10th May 2008 where charge, the Hon. Justice Joseph Oyewole of Lagos Victor Eterigho of the PDP was acclaimed to High Court found him guilty after the prosecution have emerged winner of the said election, while had called five witnesses and tendered twenty no councillorship election had taken place. exhibits. Unsatisfied with the lower court's They are also charged for having judgment, Prince Ajose appealed against his intentionally misled the Chairman, Delta State conviction at the Court Of Appeal, Lagos Division. Independent Electoral Commission into issuing His appeal and application for bail pending the a certificate of return to the said Victor Eterigho determination of appeal were dismissed for lack of as the duly elected councilor for Uzere 06 Ward merit. of Isoko South Local Government Area, which By the decision of the Court of Appeal, the enabled him to be sworn-in as the Councilor former chairman will spend 2 years in prison for when no election took place. using his office to confer corrupt advantage on Mr. Victor Nwabueze is also charged for himself as prescribed by section 19 of ICPC Act. abusing his office as the Chief Electoral Officer overseeing the Isoko South Local Government Area Ward elections scheduled for the 10th of May 2008 when he misled the Chairman of DSIEC into issuing a certificate of return to ICPC INVESTIGATES EX-EBONYI STATE Victor Eterigho wrongly. COMMISSIONER OVER The trio, who were on 14th October, 2010 N349M FRAUD arraigned before Justice Bikiri Okolose at the Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba, pleaded not guilty to the offences. The matter was adjourned to 12th April, 2011. By Mike Sowe The ICPC has commenced investigation into a petition alleging that a former Commissioner for Health under the administration of ex- “Corruption Must Go” Governor Sam Egwu of Ebonyi state embezzled public funds to the tune of N349 million. The money was earmarked for the construction, ...Join the battle rehabilitation and equipping of three General Hospitals at Ezzamgbo, Amasin and Agba.

5 MAJOR STORIES (Cont’d)

Preliminary investigation indicates that period spanning several months between January the money was diverted to Company Accounts 2003 and June 2008 and equally confessed that owned by the Commissioner and Associates; and they made no effort to return the money to the used for purposes other than the execution of the Agency. It was however confirmed that the projects. Apart from the Commissioner, Mr. syndicate had refunded the sum of N3.6million Henry Aloh, ICPC investigators have so far through its operatives. identified three other possible beneficiaries from Also, the Commission has ordered the scam. These beneficiaries are said to be close deduction of the amounts over-paid cutting across associates of top officials in the Sam Egwu several months from the monthly emoluments of administration. The level of involvement of the the affected staff while the machinery has been in Commissioner and other suspects involved in the motion to prosecute the Assistant Chief Internal scam are being unearthed by operatives of the Auditor of the agency, Mr. Joe Wakwe, the Salary Commission. Officer, Monday Okoh and 13 others.

ICPC BUSTS BURSARY SYNDICATE IN TWO FEDERAL OFFICIALS ARRAIGNED LASU OVER N16M CONTRACT SCAM

By Folu Olamiti By Winifred Ingobro and Atiku M Tanko The Independent Corrupt Practices and Two officials of the Federal Ministry of Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has Housing and Urban Development in Abuja, Mr. discovered a syndicate in the Umar Aliyu and Mr. Augustine Ochoge Atabo University which specializes in defrauding the have been arraigned before Justice Ishaq Bello of institution through its bursary programme. the Federal Capital Territory High Court of Justice, So far, two officials of the Bursary Maitama Abuja for contravening the Corrupt Department of the institution had been nabbed Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. and quizzed by Operatives of ICPC on the The accused persons were arraigned in bursary scam which involves more than N15 court on an eight count charge over falsification of million.The two staff involved, Mrs. O.O. documents and payment in respect of renovation Andrew and Mrs. F.M. Obayomi Davies, had and maintenance work not executed contrary to perfected the act of importing fictitous names section 15 of the ICPC Act. into the list of bursary award originally received Umar Aliyu was arraigned for falsifying from Delta State Scholarship Board before documents which led to the payment of about N16 forwarding the list to the banks for payments. million for the renovation and maintenance of the The ICPC is also verifying reports that headquarters of his Ministry in Abuja and its field similar bursary scam syndicates exist in many office in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. states scholarship boards, with a view to The second accused person, Augustine stepping in to stop the fraudulent practice. Ochoge Atabo was arraigned on a seven count charge based on the allegation that he furnished In another development, the ICPC is set false returns to collect the sum of N16 million for to recover the sum of N30.6million from 21 work not executed with regard to the renovation staffs of Benin/Owena River Basin and maintenance work in Federal Ministry of Development Authority who were allegedly Housing and Urban Development Abuja and involved in salary scam in the Agency. Birnin Kebbi respectively. The staff of the Accounts Department and The defense sought for the bail of the Internal Audit of the Agency were alleged to accused persons and the presiding Judge, Justice have made several attempts to undercut the Ishaq Bello granted the accused persons bail in the system of the agency by manipulating the sum of N5 million each and two sureties in like computers to cause over payment of salaries to sum while the matter was adjourned to 17th of May several staff including themselves. 2011 for further hearing. The officials confirmed during interrogation that they were over-paid for a

6 MAJOR STORIES (Cont’d)

ICPC SET TO ARRAIGN OYO STATE ICPC SWOOPS ON OGUN LOCAL GOVT. COMMISSIONER AREAS, RECOVERS STOLEN FUNDS

By Mark Faison By Folu Olamiti A serving Commissioner in Oyo State, Dr. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Kola Balogun and his wife Gbonjubola Balogun, Other Related Offences Commission ICPC has who since 2007 had tried to prevent the launched a probe into series of allegations of Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related financial impropriety leveled against the education Offences Commission (ICPC) from prosecuting authorities in Ijebu East Local Government of them on allegations of corruption have finally Ogun state. bowed to the course of justice as 6th of May 2011 Some officials of the local government had has been fixed for the arraignment of the duo on a petitioned the Commission, calling for the probe of three count charge before an Oyo State High SUBEB in the local government on suspicion that Court in . some top officials have been pilfering from the Dr. Balogun and his wife are alleged to salaries of teachers in the local government. have solicited for a share of the contract sum of Although the petitioners did not give a N801, 000.00 (Eight hundred and one thousand figure of money which had allegedly been stolen naira) payable to Bayo Trading while serving as by the officials in question, findings by ICPC Commissioner of Works and Housing in Oyo revealed that a total of N2.8 million had been State; an offence contrary to section 22 (6) of the recovered already following the intervention of Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences the National Anti-corruption Volunteers Corps Act 2000. (NAVC) in the local government. Mrs. Gbonjubola Balogun, is alleged to The recovered sum, according to the State have in February 2006 at Ibadan whilst being a Coordinator of NAVC, Mr. Idris Abu is part of the teacher at the Queen of Apostles Grammar sum that was alleged to have been fraudulently School Ibadan did hold a share in a contract for deducted from salaries of teachers in Ijebu East the printing and supplying of 2000 copies of the Local Govt. 2006 Calendar awarded to Bayo Dele Trading Against this background, the ICPC has under the name, Bayo Dele Group by Legelu instructed the Executive Secretary of the local Local government for procuring the said government to ensure the recovery of the illegal contract. She is therefore charged for knowingly deduction and its return into treasury, just as the holding an indirect private interest in a contract NAVC affirmed that the sum of N1 million had made on account of public service contrary to been paid to teachers through it. and punishable under Section 12 of the ICPC Act In another development, Mr. Abu said 2000. NAVC had swung into action in Ogun State to She will also be charged for soliciting for recover a vehicle, Camry Saloon car belonging to a share in the sum of N801,000.00 (Eight Odeda local government. The vehicle was hundred and one thousand naira) payable to recovered in December 2010 Bayo Trading as a reward for using influence to He said an attempt was made in February procure a contract with a public body contrary to 2011 to change the registration number of the official Section 22 (2) (a) and punishable under Section car into a private one by an official in the local 22 (6) of the ICPC Act 2000. government. The NAVC members had closely monitored its movement until it was located in the house of the local government official in Abeokuta SCORE A who was already being investigated. The car, has been recovered and handed over to the Acting Chairman of the local government, Mr. Ogunbona. In the same vein, the ICPC was able to GOAL recover a Camry car with registration number AE AGAINST 676 ABG; belonging to Obafemi Owode Local Government in Ogun state. The Car, was allegedly taken away by a local government official until it was intercepted and taken to a police station in CORRUPTION Abeokuta.

7 CRISIS IN THE JUDICIARY: NBA UNIVERSITY DON LOUDS ICPC APPROACHES ICPC FOR HELP STRATEGIES

By Mike Sowe By Mark Faison The Judicial Crisis Committee set up by The Dean Faculty of Law, Obafemi the Nigerian Bar Association has appealed to the Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Professor Ademola ICPC to make available any information or Popoola has commended the Independent Corrupt evidence of corruption against any member of Practices and Other Related Offences Commission the Judiciary or the Legal profession in the (ICPC) for maintaining steady collaboration country. The Chairman of the Committee Chief against corruption with all Professional Bodies in Okpoko (SAN) made the request when he took Nigeria. an 8 man delegation to the ICPC recently. He was speaking at the Conference for Chief Okpoko stressed that the NBA has Inter-Professional Dialogue Against been disturbed by the allegations of corruption Corruption organized by the ICPC in conjunction against the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the with the Nigerian Bar Association, Osogbo President of the Court of Appeal, allegations Branch, which was held recently in Osogbo Osun which he said his committee is handling with State. utmost seriousness, adding that the sanctity and The University Don said that the move by reputation of the two institutions are at stake. the ICPC - through the Systems Study and Review He explained that his committee has the mandate of the Commission to encourage moral and social responsibility to find out the professional bodies in the country to always ensure truth and come out with definitive findings and that the provisions of their Codes of Ethics were cannot therefore rely on allegations. adequately implemented, was a sure way to He promised to forward to the Commission achieving zero tolerance for corruption in the land. specific requests on areas that would enhance the He is of the view that, if Professional Committee's successful execution of its Bodies, through these Codes of Ethics could mandate. monitor strictly the conduct of their members ICPC Secretary Mr. Elvis Oglafa, who professionally, ensuring that the right things were stood in for the acting Chairman of the done at the right time, corruption would be reduced Commission pointed out that because of the to the barest minimum. symbiotic relationship between the ICPC and the Representative of the Acting Chairman of Judiciary, any crisis within the Judiciary would ICPC at the conference, and Head, ICPC Osun ultimately affect the Commission's work. He State office, Mr. Basil Momodu, had in his opening commended the NBA for setting up the remarks, maintained that, the theme of the Committee and promised to render the necessary conference: Endemic Corruption in Nigeria: The assistance. Way Out, was chosen to emphasize the fact that The ICPC Secretary revealed that the there is still much to be done in the fight against Commission's focus for 2011 is to fight corruption. “it is not an admission that the anti- institutional corruption through system study corruption agencies are not doing their best in the and review. He accused some Federal fight against corruption neither is it an admission Departments and Agencies of generating of the fact that the problem of corruption defies revenue and not remitting same into the coffers solution but it is to provoke thoughts at evolving of the Federal Government, warning that the realistic, pragmatic and people driven strategies Commission will take appropriate action on any for the fight against the scourge of corruption defaulting Agency. which is the main purpose for this meeting of Mr. Oglafa also explained that the collaboration professional bodies”, he said. between the ICPC and the INEC towards The ICPC Osun State office Chief pointed credible and successful elections in April this out that, the fight against corruption could only year will be concretised through the active succeed if Nigerians at all levels stop paying lip participation of ICPC staff who will act as service to the fight, change their corrupt ways and observers and supervisors in the 36 states of the embrace integrity, transparency and accountability federation. as the only way forward to national honour and prosperity. The Chairman, NBA Osogbo Branch, Mrs.

8 Toyin Adejoke observed with dismay that ICPC commended FTA for initiatives like the government officials at the helm of affairs, who Transparency and Accountability Index, and urged were expected to make things work for the them to extend the Transparency and country were themselves corrupt.She however Accountability Awards to Organisations in the warned that irrespective of the call for equal Private Sector. representation in governance, those elected or The Programme Coordinator of the FTA, selected for public offices, should emerge on the Musa Dachung thanked the ICPC for honouring basis of competence and not by the mere fact that their invitation and pledged continuous “one is either a man or a woman, but that laws collaboration with the ICPC in the fight against should be administered equally.” Corruption in Nigeria. Other discussants at the conference include: the Chairman Nigerian Union of Journalists, Osun State, Alhaji Ayodele Jimoh, Chairman Academic Staff Union of Universities 2011 GENERAL ELECTIONS; ICPC (ASUU) Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife SENDS 74 OBSERVERS Dr. Ife Adewumi, Chairman Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ile-Ife, Dr. Adelana Adetunji and the ICAN President Osun Chapter. By Folu Olamiti Seventy four members of staff of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related ICPC PARTNERS WITH FTA ON Offences Commission (ICPC) were engaged as TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY observers in the 2011 General Elections in 37 INDEX states including the Federal Capital Territory This is in line with the ICPC collaboration with INEC to ensure the integrity of the conduct of 2011 elections including voting, counting, By Mustapha M Hussain collation and declaration of the results The Independent Corrupt Practices and Sending forth the ICPC observers shortly Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is before the elections, the Acting Chairman AIG Dr. partnering with the Foundation for Transparency Abang Wushishi (rtd) admonished them to be good and Accountability (FTA) for the creation of ambassadors and urged them not to expose Transparency and Accountability Index for State themselves to undue risk. She reminded them that Governments, Federal Ministries, Departments as observers they were expected to observe and and Agencies in their execution of contracts and record events at polling stations, collation centers observance of due process. and payment points This was disclosed at a One Day In her remark, the Co-Chairperson, interactive session with the head of Education INEC/ICPC, Mrs. R. A. Okoduwa tutored the department ICPC, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa and observers on their responsibilities as well as code members of FTA at the Foundation's secretariat of conduct,and reminded them to be neutral and in Abuja. non-partisan, to wear the observers identification Mrs Okoduwa commended the efforts of tag issued by INEC and carry ICPC ID cards, to the FTA for the strides it has made in the fight bring irregularities to the attention of the election against Corruption in Nigeria and for the courage officers.She also told them not to pre-judge and openness it has displayed by inviting the election outcomes and not to accept any gift or ICPC to scrutinize its activities. favours from anyone. Impressed with the programmmes and initiatives of the Foundation which include a 5,000 man march against Corruption, Transparency and Accountability Awards and free Anti-Corruption DO NOT capacity building, Mrs Okoduwa said the foundation will be included in the ICPC GIVE OR TAKE showcase of NGOs. Also speaking during the interactive session, Mr Demola Bakare and Mrs Azuka Ogugua, from the Education Department of the Confidence Chichi Onwuchuruba 9 PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT DEPARTMENT ORGANISES WORKSHOP FOR ITS STAFF

By Confidence Chichi Onwuchuruba social and welcoming attitude is always appealing To freshen the memory of old staff and to journalists who will be more inclined to enlighten them on new developments in the cooporate with such officers even at the shortest media world and techniques of report writing so notice. as to better equip them for carrying out their Medina Dauda Nadabo, the second speaker work, the public enlightenment department of from Kiss FM spoke on "What makes a story news the ICPC recently organized a one day workshop worthy". According to the speaker, news is for its staff. communication of selected information and this Resource Persons invited for the can be done through print or electronic media. She workshop were Hajiya Medina Dauda Nadabo, a said the major factors that make a story news consultant for Kiss FM radio station working worthy are its timeliness, significance, proximity with Voice of America, Abimbola Yusuf Deputy to the people and the prominence of those Director Programs with Voice of Nigeria, Mr. involved. Martins Oloja, The Bureau Chief of Guardian On how to send information for radio Newspapers in Abuja and the northern states, as reports, she said news meant for the radio must be well as Sola Atere and Ben Nwordi of the NTA very descriptive, explaining that the intended Headquarters. audience should be able to form a mental picture of Delivering the first paper titled "Media what they hear. On how to write press releases, she Relations", Mr. Yusuf explained that media explained that the information must be as concise relations is the relationship an organization has as possible and put in a logical order. Press releases with journalists which goes a long way to portray a l s o , s h e s a i d , m u s t c a r r y f r e s h the public's view of the organization since the information, should not be opinionated, should media gives the public the image it has about any have an apt title and should not contain organization by what it says about the inaccuracies. organization. Media relations, he continued, The third speaker, Mr. Martins Oloja said involve working with various media bodies for the first thing anyone given an ICPC appointment the purpose of informing the public of an should do is get acquainted with the ICPC Act. organization's mission, policies and practices. This, he said, will help keep the person armed to He explained that without the media, it would be defend and say what the Commission stands for impossible for an organization like ICPC to whenever the need arises. reach the people with its anti-corruption According to him, a good understanding of message. the structure of the Nigerian mass media will help Explaining why good media relations is to ensure that news releases are sent out in a important, Mr. Yusuf said maximizing positive manner that would not offend anyone especially coverage of an organization's activities without those with the responsibility of publishing them to necessarily paying for it and having the avoid keeping the information aside. He cautioned opportunity to say one's own side of the story that we Nigerians are more tribe conscious and should controversy arise in an organization are religious minded than we accept. Media officers some of the benefits good media relations can must therefore take into account the different bring. religions of news editors before sending across The challenges he said that are associated information to them. with the media include the fact that the media The speaker emphasized that the Nigerian cannot be controlled and they have ultimate media is hugely under- capitalized and encouraged power to decide if stories sent to them will be the media officers to show understanding with aired or published as the case may be. He journalists, adding that journalists should not only however emphasized that media officers in an be contacted when there's news but the media organization must work hand in hand with the officers should show concern for their welfare mass media to build public support. even when there's nothing happening so as to On ways to improve media relations, the create a good relationship between both parties. speaker said the first thing to consider is Many questions were raised in the course of choosing an appropriate reporter, adding that the interactive session and the speakers gave the personality of the media officers will either adequate responses. Responding to one of the attract or repel journalists. He emphasized that a questions raised about the best means of 10 communication across the Nigerian people of changes while adjusting the 2011 budget proposal. various regions, Mr. Oloja said Daily Trust sells In his contribution, a member of the better in the northern parts of the country; The Committee, Senator Jibril Aminu observed that Sun reaches the Eastern states conveniently, with the Capital expenditure of the ICPC while The Guardian is a sure way to reach the representing only 0.15 percent of the 2011 budget Political and Business class. He said another proposal, the implication is that the Commission good way to reach the people of the North is the was not growing or expanding as expected. Radio, for it is a tradition amongst many to listen Presenting the 2010 budget performance, to radio first thing in the morning. the secretary to the Commission, Mr. Elvis Oglafa Participants confessed at the end of the said the Overhead and Personnel Cost recorded workshop that they had learnt more from the 100% performance each while the capital Resource Persons than they did in the classroom. performance stood at 47%. He added that the Earlier in his remarks, the secretary to the reason for the low Capital performance was the late Commission, Mr. Elvis Oglafa commended the release of funds which were released only in HOD and staff of the department for initiating the January 2011 and assured the Committee members workshop and urged them to uphold the good that the Commission will exhaust the balance of image of the Commission. Stressing the need for the funds for capital before March 31st the self improvement, the Secretary said the deadline for completion of its 2010 projects given Commission wants all members of staff trained that there are ongoing capital projects such as the to be the best they can be and as such will ICPC Academy which will be completed soon. continue to sponsor training both locally and The members of the Commission present internationally for staff. were the acting chairman Dr. Uriah Angulu, Chief In his closing remarks, the Head of Simeon Oguntimehin, Dame Julie Nwariaku, Dr. Department Mr. Mike Sowe said with the track Rose Abang- wushishi and Bako Abdullahi. record of the Resources Persons invited and the knowledge they had impacted on the staff of the Department, he was confident that there will be great improvement in their work henceforth. He PAT UTOMI DECORATED PATRON thanked the Resource Persons and beckoned on OF NAVC them to be available when next the Department come calling. By John Okor Odey Erudite Professor of Finance, Business ICPC PRESENTS 2011 BUDGET Management and Director of the Lagos Business PROPOSAL BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE School, Professor Patrick Utomi has been decorated Patron of the National Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC), by the Lagos Chapter of By Confidence Chichi Onwuchuruba the Volunteer Corps. The Chairman of the Senate Committee Speaking on Thursday 24th February, 2011 at the on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial crimes and Anti- Centre for Management Development CMD Corruption Senator Sola Akinyede has expressed Shangisha, Lagos during the one day election concern over the non- computerization of the Sensitization Programme against rigging put ICPC's operations as well as the delay in together by volunteers Against Rigging and acquiring a permanent site for the Commission. Multiple Voting (VARM) in conjunction with the Speaking at the presentation and defense NAVC Lagos State chapter, Professor Utomi of the Commission's 2011 budget before the decried the seeming docility of Nigerian youths in Committee at the National Assembly, Senator the face of large scale corruption against our Akinyede stressed that computerization of the collective dreams and aspirations. Commission's operations would make for In his speech titled "The Youth Must Rise speedy and efficient work and urged members of Against Corruption to Retrieve their Future from the Commission not to delay any further in the jaws of Death" Utomi paid tribute to the youth achieving it. He also said more emphasis should of Tunisia and Egypt for their courage in holding be placed on training the staff in line with their leaders accountable and demanding for international standards and advised that change. He wondered why in the face of massive recurrent expenses should be reduced so that youth unemployment, massive and mindless capital projects would be better funded. He said display of wealth by public officials occasioned by the Commission should emphasize these massive corruption, the streets are not overflowing 11 with angry young protesters in Nigeria. the Commission's mandate. He challenged the youth to confront The head of Business Development, Mr. corruption in the country by demanding Stuart Ponder, further explained that their foreign explanation for why the huge foreign reserves courses would create an opportunity for exchange have disappeared with no improvement in of information, and drawing of action plans, infrastructure or quality of life of citizens. among other areas. In accepting his decoration as Patron of The head of investigation department ICPC the NAVC, Professor Utomi praised the National Mr. Sotonye Wakama, and the Assistant Director Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps for its strides administration Mallam Sule Yahaya expressed so far in the struggle to create a better Nigeria. He interest in the areas of training highlighted by the pledged to make himself available to both the officials, while Mrs. Habiba Umar of the NAVC and VARM in the discharge of his duties Commission’s training Unit requested for a as patron. He urged all involved in the Anti- discount on the amount slated for each training. Corruption Crusade to walk the talk saying "that The Secretary to the Commission Mr. Elvis Nigeria has to rise from the ashes of corruption in Oglafa vouched for the competence of the Crown a new birth of integrity because righteousness Court Agents having attended one of their training exalts a nation" programmes in the past. He indicated that the Shortly before Utomi's decoration, Mr. Commission may sponsor its staff to attend Sampson Iroka who represented the Lagos State courses on Procurement, good governance, and head of the ICPC, had in an address thanked organizational integrity, areas which he noted are Professor Utomi for accepting to serve as patron integral to the achievement of ICPC's mandate. of the NAVC, saying that the NAVC and indeed the Nation stand to benefit greatly from Professor Utomi's wealth of experience, contacts and knowledge. Mr. Iroka explained the role played by Patrons of NAVC in line with the ICPC URGES UNI ABUJA, BUK STUDENTS NAVC's standing order. . TO JOIN THE ANTI GRAFT CAMPAIGN Mr. Iroka and the State Co-ordinator of NAVC, Ambassador Akin Gbadejogbin thereafter decorated Professor Utomi. By Atiku Muhammad Tanko and Ani Chinenye Thelma The Assistant Director, Education CROWN AGENTS U.K SEEK department of the ICPC,Mallam Ashiru Baba has COLLABORATION WITH ICPC called on Nigerian Students to participate actively in the anti corruption campaign as a way of safeguarding a better future for themselves. He made the call while receiving members of the By Atiku Muhammad Tanko. Universiy of Abuja branch of the National The top management staff of the Association of Political Science Students who Independent Corrupt Practices and other related were on a fact finding visit to the ICPC. offences Commission and some officials of the Mallam Baba emphasized the need for the Crown Agents,a United Kingdom Organisation Nigerian youth to consider the anti graft war as a with an outlet in Nigeria recently held an personal crusade because they constitute over fifty interactive forum, to find ways of collaboration percent of the population and are most likely to in the areas capacity building, Public Finance suffer from the evil effects of corruption. Management, Procurement and Supply and The President of the association, Mr. other courses within Nigeria and the United Olusegun Barnabas explained among other things Kingdom. that their visit was prompted by their concern for Mr. Charles Okah and Mr. Isaac, the the damage corruption has caused in Nigeria, Marketing manager and the head of Financial adding that as future leaders of this country it was Training respectively explained that their in their best interest to collaborate with Agencies collaboration with the ICPC would help the that are fighting the menace. Commission in its herculean task of fighting Mrs. Azuka Oguguo of the Education corruption in Nigeria, adding that the training department further highlighted the role of the programme can be tailored towards achieving youth in the anti corruption campaign and urged 12 them to become agents of positive change in the CITIZENS' FORUM ON PARTICIPATORY society. BUDGET HOLDS IN KADUNA The Accounting Students Association of Bayero University Kano also paid a similar visit to the ICPC. While welcoming them to the By Edet Ufot Commission,Mallam Ashiru Baba called on the Recently, Citizens from various walks of students to shun examination malpractices life in Kaduna gathered to appraise the Kaduna which include impersonation, paying to get good state 2011 budget and to map out strategies for results, buying results, and lack of integrity. He monitoring the implementation of the budget. The urged the students to be of good conduct and to event which held at Asa pyramid Hotel was act as role models worthy of emulation, resisting organised by the Civil Liberties Organization and corruption at all times and always displaying had in attendance representatives of many civil integrity as the future leaders of tomorrow. society organizations. In her presentation, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, Mr. Okechukwu Igbudu, head of the gave the students a general overview of the Kaduna state office of the ICPC who chaired the duties of the Commission as set out in section 6 event praised the conveners of the forum saying of the ICPC Act. She stated that the Commission that their effort was in line with the Kaduna state is trying to ensure that Corruption is fought and ICPC's own budget awareness initiative known as won, not only in the education sector, but in all “Operation Know Your Budget”, which seeks to sectors deepen transparency and awareness in the budget The president of the Association process. Mustapha Bello, expressed satisfaction with the A Key discussant at the event, Mr. Z.K.A quality of knowledge imparted in them, Bonat of the Centre for Population and promising that they would always try to live Development noted the Kaduna state above board as active anti-corruption crusaders government's 92% increase in the state's health that are ready to partner with the Commission. budget for rural hospitals and primary health care over the previous year's but still posited that it was grossly inadequate "because it is still just 6.1 % of the total budget for health". He advocated an increase in budgetary allocation for the provision of electricity and water supply to hospitals. MISSION STATEMENT According to him; "effective health care cannot be delivered in an unhealthy environment". Another discussant, Dr. Emmanuel Bonet of AID Foundation, kaduna, took a hard look at the To highlight and present Kaduna state 2011 budget and its stated objectives and declared that a faithful implementation would amount to a " bold step to reform the technical activities of the Commission aspects of budget-making in Kaduna state". Some of the stated objectives that excited Dr. Bonet were the government's decision to match expected expenditure profile with expected revenue inflow; in an objective manner and to a pragmatic arrangement to raise internally generated revenues (lGR); and that internal and external loans appropriated but not realized in the serve as the most authoritative 2010 budget would not be rolled over into the 2011 budget. Dr. Bonet advocated the government's shift from the procurement of chemical fertilizers for agriculture to a development of organic manure voice in exposing corruption which he said is acclaimed to be cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Various speakers at the event praised the through-out Nigeria. government's seeming sincerity but condemned the obvious lack of crucial details in the budget.

13 ICPC HOSTS BOOK YOUNG SCOUTS VISIT TO ICPC ON READING EVENT FOUNDER’S ANNIVERSARY DAY

Atiku Tanko & Maryam Mu'azu. Atiku Muhammad Tanko. Hundreds of students from secondary The Members of the scouts Association of Nigeria, Asokoro District, paid a courtesy visit to schools within the Federal Capital Territory the Independent Corrupt Practices and other recently gathered at the auditorium of the ICPC related offences Commission (ICPC) recently as to see and listen to the 2010 Commonwealth part of activities to commemorate the annual Scout prize winner for literature Ms Adaobi Tricia Founder's day which is 22nd February. Nwaubani as she read some passages from her In his welcome address, the Assistant book “I DO NOT COME TO YOU BY Director Education, Mallam Ashiru Baba, CHANCE” The occasion was a special Book highlighted the functions and mandate of the ICPC Reading session hosted by the Commission in and explained terms like: extortion, bribery and collaboration with the Writers' Squad(Aroja corruption. He advised the young Scouts to desist Concept), aimed at reviving and encouraging the from acts of indiscipline, lateness, lying and culture of reading among students and the wickedness. society at large. Mr. Justin Kutsea, representing the While welcoming participants, ICPC Planning Research and Review department, Secretary Mr. Elvis Oglafa admonished the admonished the future leaders of tomorrow to be students to imbibe the culture of reading which beneficial to themselves and the community. can broaden their horizon of knowledge and The Group Scout master, Mr. U.S Nathaniel sharpen their writing skills. The head of gave the vote of thanks, expressing his elation at education department, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa the commission's warm reception, enlightenment explained the functions and mandate of the ICPC and entertainment provided for the young scouts. and emphasized the importance of education and public enlightenment to the realization of the enforcement and prevention mandate. She described the Book Reading event as crucial to A staff of the ICPC is the mental and moral development of the Nigerian youth and wrapped it up with Theodore vested with all the Roosevelt's words-“to educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to the powers, privileges and society” The Author of the book Miss Adaobi immunities of a police Nwaubani read an excerpt from her book which clearly depicts the scourge of corruption in the officer, under the society and how it affects the nation. She said she took it upon herself to write the book because she police Act and any feels corruption has eaten the society so deeply, adding that by reading it, the younger ones will other laws conferring know the ills of corruption. The interactive session was perhaps the power on the police, or highlight of the event as students presented their own impressions of the characters in the book e m p o w e r i n g a n d and their roles in perpetrating corruption in the society. protecting the law At the end of the event, the Commission bought 350 copies for distribution to secondary enforcement agents in schools in Abuja. accordance with S.5(1) Your NO counts of Act No.5 of 2000 say NO to corruption 14 FROM THE ANTI-CORRUPTION UNITS

Corruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC) wherever ICPC TRAINS NYSC MEMBERS they may find themselves. NATION WIDE They were further reminded that NAVC is an initiative of the Commission aimed at enlisting Nigerians who feel strongly against the evils of By Sani Tukur Tarauni (In Sokoto) corruption; and want to take positive action against As part of its efforts towards inculcating its menace. It is a vehicle for mass mobilization the virtue of integrity into the minds of Nigerian and sensitization against corruption and all youths; the Independent Corrupt Practices and volunteer members are expected to be the Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) vanguard of the demand for integrity, transparency recently embarked on a training exercise of and accountability at various levels of governance. Batch "A" NYSC corps members deployed to A total of 1,403 NYSC Corps Members the 37 orientation camps nationwide; including were deployed to Jega Orientation Camp, Kebbi that of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. State as 2011 Batch “A” Youth Corps Members. The training is part of the Commission’s At the end of programme, 77 Corps collaboration with NYSC to fight the malaise of Members were trained as volunteers and foot corruption in Nigeria by engaging the youth soldiers under the auspices of the National Anti- Corps members in the crusade against Corruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC). corruption. This year's National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp exercise marked the 38 years of its existence, since General Yakubu Gowon THE BEAUTY OF CATCHING inaugurated the laudable scheme in 1973. THEM YOUNG The objective of the NYSC scheme is to infuse the spirit of work ethics into the Nigerian youths, after graduation from universities and other tertiary institutions, and to enable them By Confidence Chichi Onwuchuruba interact with their fellow citizens in other parts of The inauguration of Anti-corruption Clubs the country. in schools was partly an initiative of Corps The scheme also serves as an avenue for members acting under the umbrella of the National youths to appreciate and benefit more from Anti-corruption Volunteers Corps (NAVC), an ideas, beliefs and the social activities of various organ of the ICPC established to foster public ethnic groups in the country. participation in the anti-corruption crusade. The Commission’s involvement in the The Anti-corruption Clubs have proved to NYSC Orientation Camp activities started in be a veritable tool in inculcating the appreciation September, 2002. The activities include of integrity in youths. The objectives of the Club delivery of sensitization lectures, training, include fighting corruption in all its forms. enlistment of youths corps members into NAVC, In Ola Oluwa Grammar School in Ado- formation of NYSC CD clubs and other youths Ekiti, this initiative has paid off tremendously. The related projects. series of seminars and awareness programs The programme also provides the ICPC organized by the Corps members have helped the window of opportunities towards attaining the students understand from their youthful age the ills grassroots participation of Nigerians through of fraud, examination malpractice, looting, greed, mass mobilization and re- orientation towards a selfishness and other social vices. It has also corruption free Nation. helped them develop a strong resolve to guard and At Jega in kebbi State and Sokoto fight against these vices as best as they can. The Orientation camps the NAVC training and slogan of the club is “fight corruption, corruption Sensitization lectures were delivered by the is evil”. The activities of the club are actively information and legal Officers of Sokoto State monitored by their Principal, Mrs. T.M. Akinyede. office. The lecture titled “Stemming the Tide of To further encourage better participation in Corruption: The Role of the Youths” challenged the activities of the club and the internalization of the youth Corps Members to serve with utmost its objectives, quiz competitions are regularly integrity in their respective places of primary organized by the umbrella body for all the ICPC assignment, so as to stem the tide of corruption Clubs in various schools round the federation. It is in our society. on record that the Ola Oluwa Grammar School has They were called upon to sensitize and performed credibly well in essay competitions mobilize the public through the National Anti - both at zonal and state levels winning many prizes 15 for the school. Two of its students Aisha Ibrahim have indicated there interests in funding the and Akinola Sarah, have been of exceptional ACTUs and noted that the French Embassy has performances in these competitions. pledged giving financial support to the forth- The club in the school has been doing well coming ACTU summit. but the officials of the school are convinced that The representative of ACTU from National it will be better encouraged if vests and caps with Youth Service Corps (NYSC) apologized on the ICPC logo are given to them as a symbol of behalf of the Head of ACTU, who was absent along their membership. They can wear these while with his colleagues, because of their presence on going for their meetings as a sign of their identity N.Y.S.C camps. She further admitted that the which will help to pass the message they preach ACTU in N.Y.S.C was inaugurated only a few to those around them. Also regular monitoring of weeks earlier. the club by members of the umbrella body, the Mrs. Abimbola Kuro (Head of ACTU) ICPC, would go a long way to strengthen its Bureau for Public Enterprises gave a synopsis of resolve to do better. the activities of B.P.E, and highlighted its activities which include rigorous scrutiny fair play and transparency, signing of Bids; Bids openings ;aptitude test recruitment; seminars and ICPC PARLEYS WITH ACTUs workshops organized by ICPC and other anti-graft organization and system study. The spokes person of the National Primary Health Care Agency, said the ACTU supervises Atiku Muhammad Tanko and monitors technical care system in the Local S e l e c t e d A n t i - C o r r u p t i o n a n d Government Areas; sensitizes staff and contractors Transparency Monitoring Units (ACTUs) in on the ills of corruption and attends seminars, Ministries, Departments and Agencies,(MDAS') workshops, organized by ICPC. The Chair person recently met with ICPC officials to rub minds (ACTU) Petroleum Equalisation Fund said the, and proffer solutions to the entrenched menace ACTU is new in the organization and in spite of of corruption and other problems being that: it attends seminars organized by ICPC, expressed by the Units. including an anti-corruption workshop in the Eleven organizations including the United Kingdom. He stressed the problems the National Youth Service Corps, National Primary ACTU members face with top management Health Care Agency; Petroleum Equalization officials who don’t understand the role of the unit. Fund; Corporate Affairs Commission; Security Mr. Kunle Omobole, of the ACTU in E x c h a n g e C o m m i s s i o n ; N a t i o n a l Corporate Affairs Commission; Mr. Abatcha Communications Commission; Energy Bulama of Security Exchange Commision; Mr. Commission of Nigeria; Kuje Area Council; Tony Ojobo; of Nigeria Communications Bureau for Public Enterprises; Ministry of Commission; Dr Joseph Diaho of Energy Interior; Federal Housing Authority were invited Commission of Nigeria and Mr. Idris Muhammed for the session. of Federal Housing Authourity, all spoke on the In his welcome address, Mr. B.B Gaji, activities of their units said: “the MDAS’ were chosen based on their The representative from Kuje Area Council lackadaisical attitude to the effective running of admitted that the ACTU is epileptic and needs their Anti-corruption and Transparency resuscitation. While the ACTU representative Mrs. Monitoring Units (ACTUs) in their various Emmabang Equere from Ministry of Interior organizations.” He recalled that a circular from confessed that the ACTU once existed and needs to the office of the Head of Service of the be resuscitated and re constituted. Federation, makes inauguration of ACTU in The Head, Planning Research and Review every Ministry, Department and Agency Department Mr. BB Gaji, did not concur with the mandatory. reasons reeled out by most ACTU in the MDAS'. The Secretary to the Commission, Mr. E. He pledged there has to be collaboration between Oglafa, emphasized that ACTU is precious to the ICPC and organizations to fortify funding ACTUs ICPC and the Nation at large adding that even in all MDAs and stated that new desk officers though over 400 MDA'S have ACTUs, these would be assigned to liaise between ICPC and the ACTU are feeble and paralyzed. This is why he organizations and demanded full participation in said ICPC is restrategizing to invigorate the the ACTU summits taking place in Minna and ACTUs via a capacity building within and Yenegoa respectively. He gave all the participants outside the country. He said Donor Agencies the ACTU Standing Orders to be given to the Top 16 FROM THE ANTI-CORRUPTION UNITS management of the MDAS'. Mrs. Clare Brown-Iferi, a staff of the Zonal The representative of the Head of Service Office presented a paper titled 'The Ideals, appraised the session and affirmed that this kind Functions and Roles of Members of Anti- of sitting would strengthen the ACTUs in the corruption Clubs in Secondary Schools'. She said MDAS' and improve the awareness campaign of that the establishment of the club was an the Government. opportunity for its members to work hand in hand Mr. Kennedy Ebhotemen, of the Planing with the ICPC by gradually re-orientating the Research and Review Department, gave the minds of their fellow students, educating them closing remarks and expressed the hope that the about the ills of corruption (especially examination interactive session would improve the malpractice) and also to inculcate sound work performance of the ACTUs ethics in the students so that they will begin to appreciate the maxim "there is dignity in labour". She further advised them to show good level of discipline and high level of integrity so that others can emulate them as examples on whatever they are doing. FIVE ANTI-CORRUPTION CLUBS In his remarks, the President of INAUGURATED IN ALKALERI LOCAL ICPC/NAVC/NYSC CDS Group Mr. Abiodun GOVERNMENT OF BAUCHI STATE Awosanya expressed their gratitude over the gesture shown to them by the Zonal Office in making the event a glamorous one. There was also a question-and-answer By Bello Ibrahim session where issues bordering on the mandate of To enlist the public support of youth the Commission and other germane issues were particularly in secondary schools across the addressed. federation in the fight against corruption, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) introduced numerous programmes which include the inauguration of anti-corruption Clubs in Secondary Schools. The Zonal Office of ICPC Bauchi under The Fear the leadership of Mr. Adigun Bamidele and the Education Officer Mr. Basheru Godwin recently inaugurated five (5) Anti-corruption Clubs in Of The Lord five (5) secondary schools in Alkaleri Local Government in Bauchi State. The schools are Government Girls Arabic College Alkaleri, Government Day Secondary School Alkaleri and Is Wisdom, Government Junior Secondary School Alkaleri. Others are Government Secondary School Duguri and LawaI Community Secondary School Gwaram. To Shun In his key note address, the Vice-Principal of Government Girls Arabic College Mallam Mohammed A. Maikasuwa who represented the principal of the school showed their appreciation Corruption for choosing their school as a host, and also assured that they will give all the necessary support for the club to function effectively. Is The Bauchi Zonal Head Mr. Olusegun Adigun spoke on the 'Overview of the ICPC Act 2000'. Mr. Adigun enjoined the students to study very hard and avoid mixing with bad Understanding company so that they may become very useful to the society. He highlighted the provisions of the Act as well as the mandate of the Commission. 17 ATBU TEACHING HOSPITAL embark on the project was informed by its INAUGURATES ACTU conviction that for the war against corruption to be effective, it must be fought by everyone and from every angle. By Bello Ibrahim He also said that the Group believes that the The Anti-corruption and Transparency fight should not be left for government and anti- Unit (ACTU) of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa graft agencies alone, saying it is the responsibility University Teaching Hospital Bauchi has been of every Nigerian, irrespective of age, status and inaugurated. gender not only to expose corruption but also to The Acting Chairman of the Independent ensure that corruption is reduced to its barest Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences minimum in Nigeria. Commission (ICPC) Dr. Uriah Angulu who was The NAVC Coordinator said the school represented at the occasion by Barrister E. A. chapter, which also has teaching staff as members Shogunle from Prosecution Department, called has come to stay not only in Omoluorogbo but in on the members to operate as watchdogs on Ondo state. corruption and other related offences in their "We have exposed and will continue to establishment. stand as barrier against examination malpractices He added that members of ACTU are in the school" he added. expected to perform the duties of ICPC as He thanked the ICPC for providing them enshrined in the Corrupt Practices Act 2000, with the platform to be involved in the fight against except that of arrest and prosecution which are to corruption, promising to ensure that members be reported to the Commission. themselves abide by NAVC operational Alhaji Musa Alkali who represented the guidelines. Department of PRR presented a paper on the Operations of ACTU in MDAs. Others who presented papers at the inauguration include the Bauchi Zonal Head, Mr. Oluwasegun Adigun on ‘The Methods and Strategies of Preliminary Investigation’. Also speaking at the inauguration, Suleiman Mohammed Audu who is the Secretary of the ACTU Committee in the Federal Ministry of Health Abuja highlighted the role of ACTUs in MDAs for national development. He charged the Committee members and staff of the hospital to shun all forms of corruption that will affect the smooth running of the services in the hospital for the betterment of people. Members were charged to live above board and discharge their duties with honesty and integrity.

ANTI-CORRUPTION VOLUNTEER STUDENTS SENSITIZE COMMUNITIES LET US By Condita Uwaya Members of the National Anti- Corruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC) in Omoluorogbo Grammer School, Akure have embarked on anti-corruption awareness campaign admonishing the people to imbibe the spirit of integrity. The Coordinator of the group, Pastor Jayesimi Aiye said the group's decision to 18 DO YOU WISH TO REPORT ANY ACT OF CORRUPTION?

You must consider the fight against  KOGI: Behind the State Secretariat, corruption a personal cause. It is a struggle for Off Barracks Road the betterment of our lives as individuals, as a Lokoja. nation and for generations yet unborn. The battle must be approached collectively,  ENUGU: No. 55B Ezilo Street tenaciously and holistically with all the Independence Layout, Enugu. seriousness and doggedness it deserves. Report any act of corruption to the ICPC Headquarters, Plot 802, Constitution  BENUE: Along Ochagwu Lawani Avenue, Central Business District, Abuja or Street, Off Otukpo Road, New GRA the nearest ICPC State office in the following Makurdi. states and addresses:

 SOKOTO: No. 18 Sama Road  O Y O : N o . 1 9 B U n i v e r s i t y Gwiwa Layout Sokoto. crescent, Old Bodija Estate, Ibadan

 IMO: Plot 100 Works Layout, Sister  LAGOS: No. 10 Okotie Eboh N. Ajaelu Street Owerri. Street Ikoyi-Lagos

 KADUNA: No. 7 Wurno Road  AKWA IBOM: No. 55D Line Ewet Malali-Kaduna Housing Estate Uyo.

 KANO: No. 417 Shehu Kazaure  OSUN: No B382 Imo Akure Road, Street, Off Mohammed Road Hotoro Ilesa GRA, Kano  ADAMAWA: Former P.T.F. Office, Sir Kashim Imam Way, Yola,  BAUCHI: Plot 10946 Yahaya Adamawa State. Abubakar Link, Off Federal Secretariat Road, GRA Bauchi You may also report through the following telephone numbers 09-6286717, 09- 6286691, 09-6286956.  EDO: No. 81 Boundary Road, Visit our website at: www.icpc.gov.ng Benin City. With every genuine report forwarded to the ICPC, the corrupt are brought to book. Report a corrupt act today. 1915 WEEKLY UP-DATE OF CRIMINAL CASES IN VARIOUS COURTS HANDLED BY PROSECUTION DEPARTMENT, ICP C - ABUJ A

CHARG E NO TITLE OF CAS E COURT STATE STATUS DATE FRN V. FOR CONTINUATION H/C PLATEAU 1 9&20/01/2011 SGT. PETER ABBAH JOS OF HEARING

FRN V. HC CR/96/2010 ABUJA FOR ARR AIGNMENT 24/01/2011 UMARU ALlYU & ANOR FCT

FRN H/C A/ICPC/2C/2007 FOR CONTINUATION V. SAPELE DELTA 24&25/01/2011 AUSTIN BEBETEIDOH OF HEARING FRN V. NSD/LF 13C/10 H/C NASAARAWA FOR ARRAIGNMENT 26/01/2011 ABDULHAMEED YAKUBU LAFIA KWARRA F RN V. KDH.KAD/I/ICPC/07 H/C KADUNA FOR HEARING 27/01/2011 PROF. LAMIDO TANKO KADUNA OF MOTION ZARIA & ANOR FRN V. H/C FOR CONTINUATION BA/29/2008 27/01/2011 AUGUSTINE C. OKONKWO KADUNA KADUNA OF HEARING & ANOR FRN HC/37C/2009 V. H/C APPLICATION FOR LEAVE 27/01/2010 IB RAHIM MOH'D & 3 ORS BAUCHI BAUCHI

FRN V. H/C FOR CONTINUATION 27&28/01/2010 HON KALASALE STANLEY YENAGOA BAY ELSA OF HEARING & ANOR FRN V. H/C KOTON FOR CONTINUATION KOGI 31/01/2010 DR. MICHAEL ESSEYIN KARFE OF HEARING

FRN KDH/KAD/1C/ICPC/10 V. FOR CONTINUATION H/C KADUNA 1& 2/2/2011 GAMGARI TOYIN KADUNA OF HEARING SULEIMAN & ANOR

FRN HU/79C/2010 V. FOR ARRAIGNMENT H/C ABIA 7/2/2011 JULIE WOKOCHA & ANOR UMUAHIA

FRN KTH /20C/2010 V. FOR DEFINITE HEARING H/C KATSINA 8/2/2011 MOH’D TASIU YAMEL KATSINA

COMPILED BY: MARKUS ILIYA (Legal Dept. ICPC) DO NOT GIVE OR TAKE BRIBE ICPC Report any corrupt act to the ICPC