-Deborah Akinyosoye
Following the July 11 Supreme Court Judgement on Local government financial autonomy, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has vowed to ensure strict enforcement of the apex court verdict.
Dr Musa Aliyu, Chairman of the Commission, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said this on Thursday in Abuja, at a One-Day National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC), Members Hybrid Interactive Forum.
The chairman, who warned those plotting against the law to check his records, said that the commission would ensure compliance with the Supreme Court verdict at all cost
“Local governments must be governed by democratically elected people from the grassroots.
“You need to ensure that those that are going to be elected are people that have us in their mind; people that will discharge their responsibilities effectively in a responsible way.
”Not people that will divert public funds, and ICPC, as a commission, we will ensure that we impose compliance no matter what,” he said.
He said that the Constitution was clear on the matter, and that the commission would ensure implementation to the letter.
”We have to protect the integrity of our courts. I will not stand by and watch some people dismantle it. Not during my time.
“They can do it if I am not here, but not while I am here. I am not scared. I am determined.
”I will protect the integrity of the court. I will lead the fight. I put my trust in God. Nobody can do anything to me except God allows it, “he said
The Secretary to the commission, Mr Clifford Oparaodu, in his welcome address, said that fighting corruption required collective efforts.
”How we can get rid of corruption in this country it is very obvious that fighting corruption is not a personal affair.
“It requires collaboration and efforts from everybody who sees Nigeria as the only country that we have.
” So, it is important that your coming here today is being appreciated by the commission because in our view, we cannot do it alone,” he said