The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) like its counterpart, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has always been in the news for one reason or the other in its fight against corruption especially when high profile subjects were involved. Recently, the ICPC however, found itself in a different kind of news over an attempt to get the national Assembly to merge it with the EFCC through a bill sponsored by a Senator of the Federal Republic.Though laboriously pursued, the bill failed to impress the hallowed house, an indication of the understanding and appreciation of the achievements and challenges of the ICPC by majority of the distinguished senators. The matter has since been laid to rest. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge the wisdom demonstrated by the Upper House amidst what seemed an orchestrated campaign to subsume the ICPC to the EFCC for reasons that could never have helped the anti-corruption cause in the country.Over the years, the ICPC had demonstrated strong commitment to its mandate which it had been pursuing with vigour and with all sense of responsibility. The commission has secured notable convictions in various sectors and has indeed stamped its imprint in the minds of Nigerians as a symbol of the anti-corruption crusade. However, the commission has also, occasionally, come under criticism by people who believe that it is not hard enough on suspects and as such could not instill fear in the minds of corruption-inclined persons. The failed move in the senate could have stemmed from this perception. But how far can this argument go'ICPC does not sensationalise its arrests as many people would like it to. Except on a few occasions where suspects tried to resist arrest, the commission's operatives have been quite civil in their operations. The commission also does not give undue publicity to its investigation and prosecution of suspects in a manner akin to trying them in the court of public opinion. But it goes through all the due processes as stipulated by law and when convictions are secured, it publicises them for public awareness and to deter criminally minded persons who may have been planning or are already engaged in corrupt practices but not yet caught. Is anything wrong with this style' Does it make the ICPC less effective'What those who find the ICPC style disagreeable have failed to understand is that the maturity and civility with which it conducts its operations is actually the norm and the globally accepted standard. A suspect has rights even while being investigated or prosecuted. He is only to be considered guilty after due process had been followed through painstaking investigation and diligent prosecution and conviction by a competent court of law. The style of the ICPC should not be mistaken for lack of drive or incompetence.ICPC operatives would not be expected to drag a suspect on the floor. This has nothing to do with the social status of the suspect. The point is that such conduct would not have boosted the evidence against the suspect. Neither would it have enhanced his punishment if found guilty because the law had already prescribed the punishment and penitence. Such conduct could only have served to humiliate and brutalize the suspect and break his spirit, which is another form of torture not acceptable to the law. People expect the 'Nigerian factor' to be reflected in whatever is being done in this country. Sadly, the Nigerian factor is most times at variance with the best practices around the world. The ICPC should not be expected to emulate anything short of the best global practices. From inception till now the ICPC investigations, trials and convictions have remained credible. Nobody has raised allegation or insinuation of bias or undue interest in any case handled by the ICPC so far.The ICPC is an important public institution because of the sensitivity of its mandate and the direct bearing it has on national development and economic stability. It is natural, therefore, for the activities of the commission to generate public interest. It is not out of place for Nigerians to assess its performance but those who want to should do so objectively and without sentiments. Corruption is a cankerworm that had eaten deep into the fabric of the nation for decades. It pervades every sphere of national life in both the public and private sectors. It has stunted and continues to stunt the nation's growth and development. It cannot be eradicated suddenly. The ICPC has always given prompt attention to cases of corruption reported to it, following up with indepth investigation and then prosecution where there is substantial evidence to do so. The Commission has secured several convictions over the years. These convictions have gone a long way to serve as deterrent to potential scammers and fraudulent persons. Yet there are challenges in its operations, which if surmounted, would make it achieve more.One of such challenges is the slowness of the judicial process when cases are being prosecuted. This is due to the congestion of cases in the nation's regular courts where corruption cases are also treated. If on-going moves to have government create special courts for corruption and other related crimes are successful, it would really help the ICPC to be more effective through the speedy dispensation of its cases. At present, the slowness of the judicial process is a major drawback because when cases involving corruption are subjected to prolonged trials, due to persistent adjournment, the society at large gets the wrong impression that the authorities are probably not serious about the anti corruption struggle.Another major problem faced by the ICPC is the process of initiating cases involving corrupt practices. The ICPC like its sister organization, the EFCC, depend largely on petitions and reports from members of the public to initiate investigations into such cases. Sadly, most cases of corruption are never reported formally even though people talk about them in form of rumours or unsubstantiated allegations. It is common to find people in market places, at bus stops, at social gatherings and even in religious worship places, like the churches and mosques, talking about corrupt practices in public offices and organized enterprises. But they do not make formal reports to the appropriate authorities. Yet they blame government for not doing anything about it. Nigerians need to support the anti-corruption cause by rising up to their civic duty of reporting cases of corrupt practices to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.Yet another challenge is the underfunding of the ICPC. The annual funding of the ICPC is too low for its operations which cover the whole country. The Commission operates on a tight budget (Two Billion Naira annually). Consequently it cannot afford an adequate financial and human capital layout it requires for the vast responsibilities it has to discharge across the country. Recently, the secretary of ICPC, Mr. Elvis Oglafa disclosed at the 4th National Conference on Anti-Corruption and Financial crimes in Abuja that the Commission has 530 operatives covering a country of 150 million people. And its per capita budget is a meagre equivalent of 0.3 US cent. How can the Commission effectively fight corruption with such inadequate resources' Against this background, the achievements recorded by the ICPC over the years can be better appreciated. These achievements were largely due to the resourcefulness of the successive Chairmen of the Commission and their teams. Of remarkable mention is the new phase of the anti corruption war initiated some years back by former Chairman, Honourable Justice Olayinka Ayoola (rtd). Under this initiative, more attention has been devoted to preventive and proactive mechanisms aimed at effective monitoring and attitudinal reorientation of the workforce at various positions of responsibility in public service and organized private enterprises to prevent corrupt and sharp practices. The initiative which is being pursued with a vigorous public enlightenment and advocacy drive has taken the battle against corruption to the potential sources in the nooks and crannies of the 36 states of the federation.It is a silent revolution sweeping across the country. Cells of anti-corruption vanguards and fighters have been established in States, Local Governments across the federation under the National Anti Corruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC) scheme. Members of NAVC through their monitoring activities and vigilance have succeeded in preventing and restraining corrupt practices in these places. Members are also involved in an integrity campaign which has greatly transformed the conduct of people and mobilized them for the war to stamp out corrupt practices in our national life.The NAVC Initiative has broadened participation in the anti-corruption war. It has made the fight against corruption and other related offences the responsibility of credible Nigerians. It offers a great opportunity for these Nigerians to be actively involved in national redemption through the promotion of a corruption free society and the enthronement of integrity and honour.The preventive and proactive mechanisms have taken the fight against corruption to new dimensions. In the long run, the initiative will be more effective and certainly cost efficient than the option of arrest and prosecution. It saves the country the money that would have been lost to perpetrators of corrupt and fraudulent practices. It also saves the country the money that would have been spent to effect arrest and prosecution of offenders as well as the money that would have been spent to recover the looted funds.The ICPC is already ahead of those who are assessing its performance only on the basis of the number of offenders arrested, prosecuted and convicted for corrupt practices. It has taken the struggle to higher heights at less cost but with greater results. Mass awareness for zero-tolerance of corrupt practices has steadily built up particularly in the public service and in the next few years the transformation will be very pronounced.Emphasis on proactive measures remain the hallmark of the new phase of the anticorruption war. Through regular system study and review of the operations of government ministries, departments and agencies, the ICPC maintains proactive measures to check corrupt practices in these establishments. For example, since the commission initiated strict adherence to the regulation compelling them to return unspent budget allocations at the close of the year, they have been complying. In the past such funds were corruptly siphoned through frivolous contracts as the year drew to a close. So far a total of N13 billion has been saved through the return of unspent budget allocations to government coffers.There is no doubt that the ICPC has been trying its best to fulfill its mandate effectively but there will always be room for improvement in the face of new realities and challenges. Fortunately, the new Chairman of the Commission, by his excellent track record in past assignments and vast wealth of experience, is suitably positioned to keep the commission focused. With the necessary support and encouragement from the government, he will surely take the commission to the next level.Olamiti is the Resident Consultant on Communication for ICPC.
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