By Vivian Daniel, Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has restated its firm commitment to transparency, accountability, and due process as it commenced the official bid opening stage of its 2025 Asset Disposal Exercise.

The declaration was made by the ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu (PhD), during an address to accredited auctioneers at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday (13 November 2025). Aliyu, who was ably represented by the Director, Systems Study and Review Department, Olusegun Adigun, stressed that the entire disposal process would be guided strictly by integrity and merit.

Reaffirming the Commission’s stance, Aliyu reminded stakeholders that the ICPC’s reputation depends on its adherence to core values that inspire citizen trust. According to him, the Commission will not deviate from its mandate, especially in managing recovered assets that rightfully belong to the Nigerian people.

“As an institution, the ICPC remains resolute in ensuring that every kobo recovered on behalf of the Nigerian people is properly managed, transparently utilised, and ultimately channelled toward national development,” he said.

The ICPC’s representative, Adigun, expanded on this commitment, assuring participants that the Commission’s processes would remain transparent and competitive.

“We want every auctioneer here to understand that this Commission operates on transparency and merit. No submission will be treated with favouritism. The process must reflect the values we stand for,” he noted.

The Chairman further emphasised that all bids submitted by auctioneers would be assessed strictly in line with the outlined criteria. He noted that the Commission had no interest other than ensuring that the exercise delivers the highest standards of accountability and fairness.

In her remarks, the Director, Proceeds of Crimes Department (POCD), Grace Aga-Ibe, echoed the Chairman’s message, reiterating that the Commission is determined to maintain a process that is beyond reproach.

“Our duty is to ensure that every stage of this exercise reflects fairness. We are not just checking boxes; we are strengthening public trust in how recovered assets are managed,” she stated.

Aga-Ibe commended the auctioneers for their cooperation and urged them to uphold the same standards of integrity expected during the evaluation stage. She noted that only applicants who meet all eligibility requirements will proceed to the next round of assessments.

External stakeholders also highlighted the credibility of the exercise. The Executive Director, Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), Umar Yakubu, praised the ICPC for what he described as a model process that aligns with international anti-corruption practices.

“The ICPC has demonstrated a model that aligns with global anti-corruption standards. What we witnessed here today is the type of openness the United Nations Convention Against Corruption advocates,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture stands to benefit significantly when agencies demonstrate such clarity and integrity in managing recovered proceeds of crime.

Other auctioneers present at the session also commended the Commission for the openness with which the exercise is being conducted. Many noted that the process was “professional, orderly, and confidence-inspiring,” especially given the sensitive nature of asset disposal management.

Officials from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) were also in attendance to observe the proceedings, a move stakeholders say further strengthens public trust in the transparency of the exercise.

The ICPC’s 2025 Asset Disposal Exercise follows a similar process carried out in 2024. In October, the Commission published the results of its 2024 disposal programme, reflecting a renewed commitment to public disclosure and strengthening accountability mechanisms in the management of recovered assets.

As the 2025 exercise progresses, the ICPC maintains that its goal is to ensure a clean, credible, and transparent process where only qualified auctioneers are selected, and all recovered assets are managed in a manner that benefits the Nigerian people.

The next phase of the exercise will involve the detailed evaluation of all submissions, after which successful applicants will be invited to participate in subsequent procedures.