In a recent statement, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, disclosed that the agency’s effectiveness has been significantly hindered by the actions of the President and the National Assembly. According to Owasanoye, both the President and the National Assembly have implemented measures that restrict the ICPC’s investigative powers.
As a result, the ICPC’s authority is now limited to only investigating petitions and whistleblowing cases related to corrupt practices and other related offenses. This limitation has raised concerns among the public and anticorruption advocates, who argue that the ICPC’s ability to proactively address corruption and hold public officials accountable has been greatly curtailed.
The implications of this development are far-reaching, as it might lead to a reduced capacity for the ICPC to combat corruption effectively, potentially affecting the overall governance and accountability in the country. Stakeholders and the public are closely watching this situation, urging for a review of the constraints imposed on the ICPC to ensure a more robust and independent anticorruption agency.
