ICPC uncovers N900bn diverted by lawmakers in 12 states

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has uncovered over N900billion constituency project funds diverted by federal lawmakers in 12 states of the federation.

The Zonal Head of the ICPC in Kano State, Mr. Zayyanu Danmusa, disclosed this on Sunday while unveiling members of an anti-corruption group drawn from the 44 local government areas of the state.

The exercise was carried out in collaboration with the Community for Peace and Corrupt Free Society, Nigeria (CPCFS).

According to him, most of the lawmakers connived with contractors and supervisory federal agencies to siphon funds budgeted for constituency projects in their respective communities.

He said the fight against corruption should not be left alone for ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), adding that it was a collective responsibility of Nigerians to expose as well as provide useful information on corrupt practices by public office holders.

He also said the Commission is collaborating with different civil society organisations for monitoring and sensitisation on the need for the public to shun corruption.

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A board member of the ICPC,  Hon. Dauda Yahaya Umar, who also chaired the Commission’s Constituency projects tracking committee,  urged Nigerians to disown, shun and stop celebrating corrupt politicians and public office holders.

Umar regretted that the activities of corrupt leaders have continued to stall national development.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari alone cannot champion the fight against corruption, “because you should expect Mr. President to carry gun or knife to get at every corrupt Nigerian.”

“Our message is simple – Nigerians should shun corruption. Nigerians should disown corrupt people and stop celebrating them.

“This is our country and we must do something to help Nigeria get of this mess called corruption.

“I am not a politician but what we are facing as people in Nigeria is pitiable, because of the activities of corrupt people.

“This is why we initiated this platform to join hands with designated anti-corruption agencies such as ICPC to expose corrupt politicians and public office holders.

“We are not stopping at that, we are taking the crusade against corruption to the communities, ” Umar stated.

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