ICPC chief blows whistle: “Jail terms alone can’t beat corruption"

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu, has stated that punishment alone is insufficient to tackle Nigeria’s persistent corruption problem.

 Speaking on Monday during a roundtable with state Attorneys-General from the North-East, Aliyu stressed the need for a combined, strategic approach to fighting corruption nationwide.

“We know from global experience, and from our laws, that punishment alone is not enough,” he said. “We must combine approaches: recover stolen assets, restore justice to victims, strengthen our systems, and above all, work together across institutions and across regions.”

The event, held in Maiduguri, is part of the ICPC’s continued regional engagements aimed at strengthening institutional integrity and fostering cross-regional cooperation in the fight against corruption. The theme of the roundtable, “Institutional Integrity and Regional Cooperation: The Role of Attorneys-General in Advancing a Corruption-Free North-East,” was described by Aliyu as a direct call to action.

He warned that corruption remains one of the most deeply rooted challenges facing Nigeria today. “Corruption weakens economies, fuels insecurity, and undermines public trust,” he said. “The world today speaks with one voice against corruption, and Nigeria must not be left behind.”

Aliyu also traced the journey of the anti-corruption dialogue, which began on 3rd September 2024 with an inaugural roundtable in Abuja attended by 34 out of the country’s 36 state Attorneys-General. Since then, similar engagements have been held across the country in Kano (North-West), Asaba (South-South), Ilorin (North-Central), and Enugu (South-East) with Maiduguri now hosting the North-East session.

He commended the Borno State Government for its ongoing commitment to judicial reform, highlighting its significance in tackling institutional weaknesses. “Here in the North-East, we know how deeply corruption and weak institutions can worsen insecurity and poverty,” he said. “Yet, we also know the power of reform. The Borno State Judiciary, under the leadership of the Chief Judge, has set an example for the nation in judicial reforms.”

According to Aliyu, the spirit of reform driving change in Borno must be carried into broader national conversations. “That spirit of reform is what we must carry into today's discussions,” he added.

The event brought together key stakeholders including Senator Shehu Lawan, representing Borno South Senatorial District; Senator Emmanuel Udende, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes; Attorneys-General from across the North-East; and ICPC Resident Commissioners.

Aliyu’s message was clear: without strategic collaboration, institutional strengthening, and proactive engagement, Nigeria’s fight against corruption will continue to fall short. His remarks reflect a growing consensus that the war on corruption must go beyond arrests and trials but dig deeper into systemic reform and prevention.