The representative of Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offenses Commission (ICPC), Mrs. Tayo Babatunde has said that it requires commitment and sacrifice to fight corruption in the country.
Mrs. Babatunde expressed this view when she spoke to the 2021 Batch ‘C’ (Stream 1) corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko.
Speaking on the roles of corps members in the fight against corruption, the intelligence officer with the anti-graft agency said that the general public has an entirely different notion about their operations.
“Gentlemen corps members, it is a little bit difficult to tell the public that we are gradually winning the war against corruption in the country because of their perception and the belief they hold that prosecution is selective”.
“We operate on the principle of gathering intelligible information and conducting a discreet investigation based on the petition submitted to our offices nationwide. We cannot just prosecute people without circumstantial evidence and concrete proof as any unjust and unsubstantiated allegations will have negative effects on the image of the Commission”.
“Our mandate is to receive and investigate reports of corruption and inappropriate cases prosecute the offenders, and to examine, review and enforce correction of corruption-prone systems and procedures of public bodies”.
“This is with a view to eliminating corruption in public life, and to educate and enlighten the public on and against corruption and related offenses with a view to enlisting and fostering public support for the fight against corruption”.
She confirmed that ICPC has a working relationship with NYSC to raise very committed and selfless corps members as volunteers to complement the anti-graft Commission to rid the country of all corrupt elements in the society”.
“The greatest challenge we face at ICPC is that Nigerians are very complacent and unwilling to volunteer information that will assist us to prosecute corrupt and dubious people within our communities. The fear of backlash and the stigmatisation of being a whistleblower is slowing down our assignment” she added.
“Everyone has a very important role to play so that we can reduce the disturbing trend but many of us are accomplices and accessories to the fact but rather than exposing these unpatriotic citizens, we are celebrating them and treating them like demigods”.
As vibrant youths, who have all that it takes to lift this country to greater and enviable heights, it is your collective responsibility to lend your voice by joining your colleagues who are already on the field to wage an unrelenting war against corruption and other vices in the land” she concluded.
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