Supreme Court and Top Institutions Flagged in Alarming ICPC Corruption Risk Report

By Achimi Muktar

In a groundbreaking revelation, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has released its 2024 integrity report, naming 15 Nigerian ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as "high corruption risks." Among these, heavyweight institutions like the Supreme Court, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) scored shockingly low, raising serious questions about governance and integrity.

The Shocking Findings

Presented in Abuja on Thursday, the report titled Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS) of MDAs of the Federal Government of Nigeria, evaluated 330 MDAs, with 308 successfully assessed. The remaining 15 non-responsive MDAs were branded as high-risk, including the Supreme Court and NAHCON.

The EICS scorecard evaluated institutions based on three critical factors:

Management culture and structure

Financial management systems

Administrative systems

Despite these parameters being the foundation of institutional performance, several major MDAs failed to make the cut. The Supreme Court, Nigeria Press Council (NPC), University of Ibadan, and OAU received a dismal zero on the compliance score.

Top Performers Shine Amid the Scandal

Not all was bleak, however. The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) emerged as the top performer with an impressive score of 89.75, closely followed by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (89.33) and Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (88.73).

Demola Bakare, ICPC spokesperson, emphasized the importance of the scorecard as a preventive tool for fostering ethical standards and combating corruption in public institutions. “The initiative aims to identify gaps, provide actionable insights, and promote self-evaluation within MDAs,” Bakare stated.

Disturbing Trends in Constituency Projects

The ICPC report also shed light on the state of constituency and executive projects, exposing widespread irregularities. Since the initiative's inception in 2015, it has tracked projects in key sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and road infrastructure.

Between 2023 and 2024, the ICPC tracked 1,500 projects worth N610 billion across 22 states, uncovering shocking issues like:

Shoddy or incomplete project execution

Abandonment due to lack of continuity between outgoing and incoming legislators

Misuse of public funds, including converting project assets for personal use

Despite these challenges, the ICPC reported a cash recovery of N346 million, recovered assets worth N400 million, and saved N30 billion in public funds.

Call to Action

The ICPC’s report is a wake-up call for Nigerians. With no institution achieving full compliance and only 29.55% attaining substantial compliance, the need for accountability has never been greater. Institutions like the Supreme Court and NAHCON, once considered untouchable, now stand as cautionCivil Service Shakeup: Tinubu Approves Major Redeployment of Permanent Secretaries

By Achimi muktar

In a sweeping shakeup of Nigeria’s civil service, President Bola Tinubu has approved the redeployment of Federal Permanent Secretaries across various ministries. The reshuffle, announced by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, aims to optimize government operations and align ministries with the administration’s strategic goals.

The redeployment, conveyed in a statement released by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Olotu Eno, affects key ministries, signaling significant changes at the helm of critical government portfolios.

Among those affected is Mr. Gabriel Aduda, who moves from the Ministry of Women Affairs to the Ministry of Defence. Similarly, Mr. Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel transitions from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to the Ministry of Education, where he will understudy the current Permanent Secretary.

Other notable changes include:

Mr. Temitope Peter Fashedemi: Redeployed from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to the State House.

Dr. Shuaib Mohammed Lamido Belgore: Moves from the Ministry of Regional Development to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Osunbiyi: Transferred from Housing & Urban Development to Agriculture and Food Security.

Engr. Adebiyi Olusesan Olufunso: Relocated from the State House to the Ministry of Works.

Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana: From the Ministry of Defence to Aviation and Aerospace Development.

Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata: Shifted from Works to Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

Raymond Omenka Omachi: Moves from the Common Services Office in OHCSF to the Ministry of Finance (Special Duties).

Mrs. Tinuke Watti: Redeployed from the Ministry of Sports Development to Regional Development.

Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro: Takes over from Mr. Gabriel Aduda at the Ministry of Women Affairs.

According to Walson-Jack, the redeployed officials must complete their handing and taking-over processes no later than December 31, 2024.

This large-scale restructuring underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to fostering efficiency and strategic realignment within the federal civil service. With new leadership in critical ministries, stakeholders anticipate a renewed drive toward policy implementation and service delivery in the coming year.ary tales in the fight against corruption.