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Ayoola: ICPC’ll Fight Private Sector Corruption
- By - posted on Friday 5th June 2009 Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), retired Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, on Wednesday , said the amendment of the Commission’s Act would help fight corruption in the private sector.
Ayoola made this known at a two-day public hearing on the amendment to the Economicand Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and ICPC Acts organised by the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Anti-Corruption.
He said some of the amendment being sought would also strengthen the commission to be proactive in fighting “petty corruption’’ in the public service.
Ayoola referred specifically to the powers of the commission to initiate investigation without having to wait for a formal report from members of the public.
Section 6 (a) of the amendment bill empowers the commission to initiate investigation on corruption cases where a reasonable grounds exist that attempt has be made by persons or groups to commit or has committed an offence under the Act.
However, Ayoola added: “This provision will make ICPC proactive to follow every act of corruption at any level including petty corruption which slows down the system of governance.
“Nigerians go to Church and Mosque 55 Sundays and 55 Fridays in every year without changes in their behaviour and attitude to the country’s interest as well as the effect of corruption and corrupt tendencies on national development.
“He explained that establishing a special court to adjudicate on corrupt cases would not make any significant change on the delays associated with trial of corruption cases in the country.
“We may not likely achieve the desired results because the so-call special courts are still going to operate within the ambit of the nation’s constitution, unless the constitution is amended to accommodate such proposal.
“However, efforts are on to get the designated courts for corruption casesto ensure speedy trial of cases before them and to bring the country back to integrity level so that we can avoid frivolous petitions,'' Ayoola said.
The chairman said the country needed a good judicial system with adequate facilities and improved personnel to fast-track procedures and improve the criminal justice system.
Other amendments sought to the EFCC and the ICPC Acts include streamlining the operations of the two bodies.The amendment also sought to fast track the prosecution of corruption cases and make provision for forfeiture of property from criminal or corruption proceeds.
News Source: This Day
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