Stakeholders have called for greater coordination between the federal and state governments in tackling corruption, during a high-level roundtable convened by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The engagement, which brought together State Attorneys-General from Nigeria’s South-East region, forms part of ICPC’s broader zonal consultation initiative aimed at strengthening ties with state-level legal authorities and aligning anti-corruption strategies nationwide.
Welcoming participants to the session, ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, underlined the crucial role of cooperation in combating corruption through preventive measures. He noted that similar consultations had already been held in the South-South and North-Central zones, with further regional engagements planned in the lead-up to the Commission’s second national anti-corruption summit later this year.
“This meeting,” Dr Aliyu stated, “is designed to deepen collaboration, enhance intelligence sharing, and harmonise our strategies with both regional dynamics and national goals.”
He opened his remarks by paying tribute to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who was laid to rest the previous day. He described the former president as a “moral compass” whose legacy had left a lasting impression on the nation’s anti-corruption efforts.
A major issue raised during the event was the ongoing conflict over jurisdiction between federal and state authorities in prosecuting corruption cases. Dr Aliyu referenced two Supreme Court rulings , Attorney General of Ondo State v. AGF & 35 Ors (2002) and Kogi State & 18 Ors v. AGF (2024) , reaffirming the ICPC’s constitutional mandate to investigate and prosecute cases involving both federal and state actors.
“It is counterproductive when state legal officers continue to dispute powers already upheld by the nation’s highest court,” he said. “As Chief Law Officers, it is your responsibility to defend the authority of Supreme Court decisions.”
Dr Aliyu called for alignment and mutual respect, pointing out that while legal debate is a healthy feature of democracy, institutional resistance only undermines the collective battle against corruption.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s renewed focus on prevention, encouraging Attorneys-General to go beyond legal counsel and become advocates of justice, transparency, and sound governance in their respective states.
“The partnership between ICPC and State Attorneys-General is not only beneficial but absolutely vital,” he said, stressing that joint efforts in intelligence gathering, asset recovery, and policy reform would significantly boost anti-corruption outcomes.
He encouraged participants to actively contribute to the discussions, adding that the collective insights would help shape future policy directions and deepen the Commission’s impact at national and subnational levels.
Dr Aliyu concluded by restating ICPC’s vision for a Nigeria where integrity and accountability underpin the operations of public institutions. He expressed confidence that the roundtable would lead to actionable outcomes and foster stronger ties between federal and state legal frameworks.
Delivering the keynote address, former Attorney-General of Kano State, Dr Ibrahim Mukhtar, stressed the urgency of building sustainable partnerships between ICPC and state ministries of justice.
He described corruption as the fundamental obstacle to Nigeria’s development, responsible for widespread poverty, unemployment, failing infrastructure, and insecurity.
“Corruption is not some abstract idea. Its consequences are visible and destructive,” Dr Mukhtar said. “We must take deliberate steps to reverse this trajectory by working collaboratively at every level of government.”
He proposed the formation of state-level anti-corruption forums led by Attorneys-General and supported by the ICPC, civil society organisations, and relevant ministries. These platforms, he said, could act as think tanks to address local corruption issues and foster shared innovation.
“We must establish mechanisms that produce outcomes far greater than what we can achieve individually,” he said. “This is the heart of sustainable collaboration.”
In a goodwill message, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Emmanuel Udende, pledged full legislative support for anti-corruption efforts at the state level.
Senator Udende praised the ICPC for its strategic leadership and consistency in driving institutional reforms. He described the gathering of South-East State Attorneys-General as a timely initiative to build alignment between federal and state anti-corruption efforts and reinforce the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
He encouraged the Attorneys-General to view themselves not only as custodians of the law but as key defenders of justice, public trust, and ethical governance.
He added that synchronising national vision with local commitment is crucial for long-term success in the anti-corruption campaign.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, Rt. Hon. Kayode Moshood Akiolu, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s strong support for ICPC’s efforts to eradicate corruption across the country.
Akiolu called on State Attorneys-General to fully exercise their prosecutorial powers to hold corrupt actors accountable. “Corruption is the weight chained to our feet as we attempt to move forward,” he said, describing it as Nigeria’s foremost enemy.
He noted the role of the National Assembly in driving accountability through its law-making and oversight responsibilities, and assured participants that Parliament would continue to provide legislative backing for transparency and good governance initiatives.
The roundtable marks another step in ICPC’s mission to decentralise the anti-corruption fight, improve intergovernmental collaboration, and embed a culture of integrity across all tiers of government.
