By Fresh Facts Correspondent –
Maiduguri — The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu, has stressed that punishment alone cannot end corruption in Nigeria, insisting that a multi-pronged approach is required to confront the scourge.
Aliyu made this known on Monday in Maiduguri while delivering a welcome address at a one-day roundtable engagement with Attorneys-General from the North-East states. The programme, themed “Institutional Integrity and Regional Cooperation: The Role of Attorneys-General in Advancing a Corruption-Free North-East”, brought together legal and political stakeholders from across the region.
“From global experience and our own legal frameworks, it is clear that punishment alone is not enough,” Aliyu 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 ICPC chairman warned that corruption remains one of Nigeria’s most stubborn challenges, undermining economic growth, fuelling insecurity, and eroding public trust in governance. He noted that while the fight is difficult, progress is possible when institutions commit to reforms and cooperation.
Aliyu recalled that the roundtable initiative began in Abuja in September 2024 with 34 out of 36 Attorneys-General in attendance. Since then, engagements have been held across the geopolitical zones, including Kano (North-West), Asaba (South-South), Ilorin (North-Central), and Enugu (South-East). “Today, we gather in Maiduguri for the North-East,” he said.
Commending the Borno State Government for prioritising judicial reforms, Aliyu highlighted the role of strong institutions in advancing accountability and justice. “Here in the North-East, we know how deeply corruption and weak institutions can worsen insecurity and poverty. 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,” he noted.
The roundtable was attended by prominent figures, including Senator Shehu Lawan (Borno South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Emmanuel Udende, Attorneys-General from the North-East states, and ICPC resident commissioners.
Aliyu urged participants to use the platform as a call to action for building stronger systems of integrity and fostering collaboration in the region’s anti-corruption fight.
