Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)

At the time the Civilian Administration came into power, corruption in Nigeria had indeed become a full blown cancer. In 1999, Transparency International Corruption Perception Index rated Nigeria the second most corrupt nation in the world. Although corruption is a global problem, the extent of its reach in the country was tragically stupendous. It pervaded private and public institutions and overwhelmed all levels of government.

The price of corruption has been extremely high. The economic, political, social and moral bases of the country have been severely eroded and degraded. It has brought us near helpless and hopeless. Even religious institutions, the gate-keepers of the nation’s moral conscience, were not immune to the ravages of the cancer.

Independent corrupt practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was inaugurated on September 29, 2000, by the Nigeria President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR. The commission is at the hub of Nigeria’s fight against corruption. The main duty of the commission is to receive complaints, investigate and prosecute offenders. Other duties include education and enlightenment of the public about and against bribery, corruption, and related offences.

Effects of Independent corrupt practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)

That corruption has done incalculable damage to the Nigeria nation is stating the obvious.

1. Morally:  It has affected the time-honoured ethical values of uprightness, contentment. Everyone, it appears, became seized by a frenzy to take the short cut to achieve from students to teachers; labourer to employment, congregation to clergy.

2. Politically: It provided an unfortunate excuse for the military incursion into the arena of power which brought about years of agonizing assault on the collective psyche of Nigerians.

3. Economically: Corruption rendered Nigeria a classic study in the paradox of grinding poverty in the midst of God-given abundance. Massive brain drain resulted as professionals trained with the country’s resources, trooped abroad in their large numbers to greener pastures benefiting other societies with Nigeria’s investments and intellectual resources while the country groaned under the death of crucial expertise.

Membership of the Independent corrupt practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission was inaugurated on the 29 of September 2000 by President Olusegun Obasanjo. As provided for in section 3 (3) of the Act 2000, the commission consists of a chairman and twelve (12) members, two of who represent each of the six geopolitical zones of the country.