The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has said that public funds are being diverted through the ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
Chairman of the ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, raised the alarm in Abuja on Thursday at a two-day capacity-building workshop organised for members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Anti-Corruption.
Owasanoye, who frowned at the diversion of public funds both in revenue receipts and expenditure, condemned illicit financial flow, misapplication of funds and budget padding. He stated that it was time corruption was confronted headlong, stressing that Nigerians had yet to recognise the death knell that corruption meant.
The ICPC boss warned that if citizens did not deal with corruption-related issues, it would further impact negatively on the country.
Owasanoye noted that Nigeria always had anti-corruption laws but in short supply of integrity. According to him, this had been made worse by high level hypocrisy seen in public and private services.
He noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Bureau of Public Procurement, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission were all anti-corruption gate-keepers, noting that most regulatory agencies also played anti-corruption roles.
Owasanoye said corruption accentuated political patronage and encouraged sabotage of governance, stressing that funds appropriated on paper were never used for the purpose for which they were meant.
Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, Shehu Garba, noted that the challenge and the fight against corruption remained a topical issue. He said that the ills of corruption had been well documented, noting that Nigerians did not need to be reminded of the consequences.
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