ICPC Calls Attention To Diversion Of Public Funds

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission has called attention to the diversion of public funds.

The ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasannoye, stated this on Thursday at a two-day capacity-building workshop for members of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption in Abuja.

He expressed worry over the diversion of public funds, both in revenue receipts and expenditure while condemning illicit financial flows, misapplication of funds and budget padding.

He said it was time corruption was confronted headlong, adding that Nigerians were yet to recognise the death knell that corruption meant.

He warned that if citizens did not deal with the ethical issues of corruption, it would further impact negatively on the country.

Owasannoye noted that Nigeria was never in short supply of anti-corruption legislation but in supply of persons with integrity. 

According to him, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, are all anti-corruption gatekeepers.

He stated that most regulatory agencies also played anti-corruption roles.

Owasannoye observed that 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.