ICPC Leaders Renew Call for Strengthened Internal Controls as ACTU Pushes for Greater Institutional Recognition
By Vivian Daniel
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on its internal Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to intensify preventive measures and enhance accountability across its operational systems.
The directive was delivered during a sensitisation workshop held at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where both the Commission’s Chairman and Secretary underscored the critical role of internal oversight in promoting integrity, according to the undersigned statement by the Commission’s Spokesperson, John Okor Odey (ANIPR) on 8 December 2025.
Represented by the Director, System Study and Review Department, Olusegun Adigun, the ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), urged ACTU members to remain steadfast in fostering accountability and strengthening internal controls within the Commission. Aliyu described corruption as “a major obstacle to national development” and framed the workshop as a “call to action,” pledging continued institutional support for the Unit’s work.
Reinforcing the Chairman’s message, the Secretary to the Commission, Clifford Oparaodu (Esq.), emphasised ACTU’s indispensable role within Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework. “The Unit fosters accountability through vigilant fact-finding and by ensuring transparency in internal processes, such as promotion exercises,” he stated, highlighting the significance of ACTU in maintaining ethical standards and public trust.
During the workshop, ACTU Chairman, Michael Adesola (Esq.) shared ongoing initiatives, including the Unit’s independent management of the 2025 promotion examination. He warned staff against actions that could compromise the Commission’s integrity, stressing the importance of professionalism and ethical conduct. He also formally appealed for ACTU to be elevated from an ad-hoc body to a fully-fledged Unit to enhance its operational capacity and effectiveness.
Other participants included Azuka Ogugua, Head of Reforms, who reinforced the workshop’s core message, calling for continued vigilance and collaborative engagement among all staff to uphold the highest standards of accountability and transparency within the Commission.
The workshop concluded with a reinforced pledge from staff and management to collaborate in building an accountable and transparent institutional culture. By strengthening ACTU, the ICPC is demonstrating that fighting corruption is not only about prosecuting external offenders but also about embedding integrity at the heart of its own operations.
