ICPC recovers N5.3bn from LG accounts

Detailed summary

The ICPC says it has recovered over N5.3bn from local government accounts in seven states and the FCT, and plans a new online transparency initiative. Read More:…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission says it has recovered more than N5.3bn following a review of local government accounts in seven states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The commission also plans to make all 774 local government councils in Nigeria publish their financial records and activities online as part of efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability at the grassroots.

ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, disclosed this on Thursday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, during the flag-off of the ICPC-National Information Technology Development Agency Local Government Websites Pilot.

The initiative, which began in Nasarawa State, is expected to be extended to all local government areas in the country.

Aliyu said the recovery of the funds highlighted the scale of financial irregularities at the grassroots and the need for closer monitoring of public resources.

He said the Supreme Court judgment of July 2024, which affirmed the financial autonomy of local governments and direct payment of their statutory allocations, had made accountability in the management of council funds more important.

“Autonomy brings responsibility. Funds that now flow directly to the councils must be spent openly and for the benefit of the people,” he said.

The ICPC chairman explained that the websites would operate on a standardised template developed under the commission’s Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Governments.

He said the platforms would require councils to publish information on their budgets, allocations, revenue, expenditure, audits and debts.

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