ICPC recovers N4bn stolen funds in 24 hours

Dr Musa Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said that within the last 24 hours, the commission had recovered about N4 billion stolen by public office holders.

He also the commission will deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) to fight corruption.

Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said this on Thursday in Abuja, on the sideline of the One-Day National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC) Members Hybrid Interactive Forum.

”Today, I want to underscore the potential of technological solutions in promoting accountability and good governance.

”Technology can work wonders because it is not biased like humans. It can help us tackle challenges if we use it properly and effectively.

”This technology, as I have mentioned, has the capability to address numerous issues.

”We know there are digital platforms that sometimes, unfortunately, contribute to corruption

”However, I can tell you that in the last 24 hours, we have been able to recover four billion Naira of public funds, which were diverted into private accounts,” he said.

According to him, it is alarming to see how much money is being misappropriated, and some individuals have billions of naira in their possession for personal gain.

”It is a shocking reality that people are hoarding public funds, instead of using them for the benefit of the nation.

READ ALSO:

• JUST IN: Petrol price to drop as marketers pay N766/litre for Dangote PMS
• Prison official kills colleague over food in Bauchi
• Coca-Cola to invest $1bn in Nigeria, company’s president visits Tinubu

”As a commission, we are utilising technology and management systems to restore confidence in the fight against corruption.

”We are committed to ensuring transparency in this endeavour,” he said.

Aliyu said that there were systemic flaws in the country, especially regarding public spending.

He said that there was the need to invest in technology that could help minimise the challenges of corruption, particularly in public procurement.

”By implementing tech-driven processes, we can reduce practices like contract inflation.

”Using technologies like blockchain can help eliminate manipulation and ensure the integrity of public procurement.

”Data analytics are also crucial. The data we rely on is often outdated or inaccurate, which causes inefficiency.

”By embracing AI, we can easily convert certain processes to be more transparent and effective,” Aliyu said.

He underscored the importance of implementing preventive strategies to combat corruption.

”This is why social integrity and capacity building are essential. Civic engagement and public education are key to ensuring that people understand their rights and responsibilities.

”When citizens are aware, they can hold public officers accountable. We must empower our people. Four or five years ago, we could have seen this transformation if we had started then.

READ ALSO:

• 29 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Abuja
• Nigeria’s Ilenikhena sinks Barcelona with late goal for Monaco
• E-CMR: Police to stop checking vehicles documents on the road

”There is the need to ensure that the systems we build today withstand the test of time and foster respect for human rights and dignity.

”We need to build a culture that discourages corruption and promotes ethical governance,” he said.

He also called on the National Assembly to ensure speedy passage of the Whistle Blowing Act, adding that to fight corruption, there was the need to protect whistle blowers.

Mr Muhuyi Magaji, the Chairman Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, said that fighting corruption was a collective responsibility.

Magaji said that when citizens joined hands against corruption, the monster would be easily defeated.

”When people own the fight against corruption, that is when it will always be strengthened. It is not for us at the government level to fight corruption alone.

”It needs the involvement of all, it is a collective fight so the occasion itself is a very important,” he said.

Mr Demola Bakare, Acting Director, Public Enlightenment and Education, ICPC, urged the participants at the forum to fight corruption without sentiment.

Bakare advised them to also have a deep knowledge of the Act that established the commission to enable them discharge their responsibility effectively

He said that fighting corruption was like a marathon race that needed perseverance and endurance to win.

Bakare pledged the support of the anti-graft agency to all the stakeholders, in winning the war against corruption in the country.

ICPC recovers N4bn stolen funds in 24 hours

(NAN)

Prison official kills colleague over food in Bauchi

A Nigerian correctional officer attached to the Burra Correctional Centre, Bauchi State, has allegedly k!lled his colleague following a minor dispute over food.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, around 2 p.m. in Burra town, Ningi Local Government Area of the state.

According to an eyewitness, the deceased, Aliyu Abubakar Chiroma (pictured) and his colleague, Kabiru Abubakar were close friends known to many in the Centre.

The altercation began when Chiroma brought his lunch, and his ally, Kabiru insisted on eating the food against Chiroma’s will, which led to a heated argument.

“The duo exchanged words, which quickly escalated into a fight. Kabiru headbutted Aliyu (Chiroma), which caused him to fall to the ground. And the commotion attracted the attention of nearby people,” the source said.

READ ALSO:

• Coca-Cola to invest $1bn in Nigeria, company’s president visits Tinubu
• 29 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Abuja
• Nigeria’s Ilenikhena sinks Barcelona with late goal for Monaco

The source added that Aliyu was rushed to Burra General Hospital where he was confirmed d@ad despite efforts to save him

Chairman of Ningi Local government Council, Hon Nasiru Zakari, confirmed the incident in an interview with a Bauchi publication, WikkiTimes on Thursday.

“I received a report about this unfortunate incident at the Burra Correctional Center, where one officer was allegedly killed by a colleague over a disagreement during lunch,” Zakari said.

The Bauchi State Correctional Service Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Usman Tata, also confirmed that the incident but added that it occurred outside the Correctional facility

Ahmad noted that Chiroma, the deceased, hailed from Giade LGA, while the suspect, Kabiru Abubakar is from Dass LGA of the state. Both were posted to Burra Correctional Center.

He added that the corpse of the deceased had been handed over to his family for burial, while the suspect is in the police custody for further investigation.

Prison official kills colleague over food in Bauchi

29 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Abuja

Twenty nine suspected internet fraudsters have been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The suspects were arrested by the operatives of the Abuja Zonal Directorate of EFCC on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity, EFCC said in a statement.

According to the statement, the suspects were arrested at several locations in the Gwagwalada area following credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in internet fraud.

READ ALSO:

• Nigeria’s Ilenikhena sinks Barcelona with late goal for Monaco
• E-CMR: Police to stop checking vehicles documents on the road
• Nigeria gets approval for fresh World Bank $1.5bn loan

The statement also indicated that 32 telephone handsets of different types were recovered from the suspects.

The anti graft agency said the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

29 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Abuja