ICPC Urges National Assembly to Fast-Track Whistleblower Protection Bill

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, has urged the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the whistleblower protection bill, describing it as critical to empowering citizens to report corruption without fear of intimidation or threats to their lives.

Speaking during a one-day engagement with selected media practitioners from the North-West and North-East in Kano State, Aliyu emphasized the importance of legal protection for journalists and the public.

“Many journalists and citizens are hesitant to provide vital information to anti-graft agencies because there is no comprehensive law ensuring their safety. Nigerians are willing to expose corruption, but they need guarantees for their lives and property,” he said.

Dr. Aliyu disclosed that the Commission had tracked 1,440 government projects valued at approximately N271.054 billion across the two regions. Of this, 767 projects worth N112.737 billion were in the North-East, while 673 projects valued at N158.317 billion were in the North-West.

The Commission also recovered significant sums in cash and assets. In the North-West, N7.269 billion and $1.066 million were recovered, alongside 14 buildings, 25 plots of land, and three farmlands. In the North-East, cash recoveries totaled N43.335 million.

A total of 171 cases were investigated—117 in the North-West and 54 in the North-East—leading to 16 court filings, eight from each region, and four convictions recorded in both zones.

Professor Sule Yau Sule of Bayero University Kano (BUK), who was also present at the event, highlighted the media’s pivotal role in the fight against corruption. He urged collaboration between the press and the ICPC to strengthen accountability and safeguard national resources.

“Combating corruption requires collective effort. The media has a crucial role in ensuring transparency and exposing corrupt practices,” Professor Sule added.