SERAP seeks support for ICPC in fight against corruption

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(Nigeria) A civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, on Monday in Lagos called on Nigerians to support the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC in fighting corruption in the country.
Executive Director of SERAP, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni,  made the call at the launching of a book titled," Citizens Guide to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission."
The 140-page report was produced by SERAP in collaboration with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, OSIWA, a non-governmental organisation.
Mumuni said that despite some marginal improvements in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, high level official corruption remains widespread.
“Although some attention is now being drawn to local government level corruption, most known cases of corruption remain at the federal and state levels. Several allegations of corruption among local government officials are not adequately reported; and actions are rarely taken to redress the problem or to achieve accountability," he said.
According to him, the ICPC was inaugurated in 2000 by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to help combat the scourge of corruption plaguing the nation.
“However, within the period of more than a decade that the ICPC has been in operation, its institutional structures are not widely known by the generality of the Nigerian citizenry.
“Its activities cannot be said to have inspired sufficient confidence in the Nigerian public and citizens who are mostly ignorant of its activities or its impact in the anti-corruption fight," he added.
Mumuni said the book would expose the key feature of the ICPC framework, such as its duties, functions, operational structure and offences created by the ICPC Act.
He said it would also guide citizens on how to report suspected cases of corruption to the commission for investigation and prosecution of offenders.
According to him, copies of the report will be distributed free of charge to Nigerians and also hosted on SERAP's website for easy access.
Mumuni said the fight against corruption requires collective effort from all and sundry, adding that it was not sufficient to just criticise the government.
He said: ``For the anti-corruption war to progress in the way it should go, it is a matter for all us.
``But more importantly, our political leadership must exhibit credibility and transparency in piloting the affairs of the country."

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