Nigeria Needs Smarter Tools to Fight Corruption – ICPC
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged the adoption of technology-based methods to address the increasing complexity of financial crimes in Nigeria.
This was stated during a meeting on Monday between the ICPC and a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation Team, in Nigeria for an annual economic assessment.
The meeting in Abuja included ICPC officials and IMF representatives, who discussed anti-corruption efforts and governance structures.
Speaking for the Commission, ICPC Secretary Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu said, “Our work is guided by strategy, data, and partnerships.”
In a presentation titled “Nigeria–International Monetary Fund Hybrid Article IV Consultation Exercise”, the Commission’s Deputy Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Mr. Richard Bello, said, “We remain focused on mitigating the devastating impact of corruption on our economy and governance. Our intelligence-driven operations have successfully disrupted illicit financial flows and recovered significant public funds.”
He said recent investigations into procurement fraud, embezzlement, abuse of office, and money laundering have led to prosecutions in 2024.
Bello added that working with agencies such as the EFCC, NFIU, CCB, and INTERPOL has helped improve intelligence sharing and enforcement.
He acknowledged operational challenges, especially in digital investigations. “The high licensing fees for digital forensic tools are limiting our capacity to scale investigations,” he said. “And the withdrawal of Cellebrite’s forensic services from Nigeria has left a huge gap in our digital evidence gathering efforts.”
He also pointed out difficulties in retrieving evidence from cross-border corruption cases, citing delays in Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) processes and strict international requirements.
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