The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has called for immediate and stronger measures to improve accountability in Kaduna's local governments. The commission made this call at a major capacity-building workshop held in the state on Wednesday .
Sakaba Ishaku, the ICPC Resident Commissioner for Kaduna State, issued a stark warning about corruption's deep roots in Nigeria. He stated that corrupt practices are now endemic across all levels of society and government. Weak institutions and a lack of public accountability are the main drivers of this problem .
Ishaku presented a striking assessment of the situation's severity. He said that if existing laws were applied strictly, about 80 percent of people seen in public would be in jail. He described this as a sign of how widespread the problem has become .
The two-day workshop was organized by the Kaduna State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The ICPC and a private firm, Al Nameer Ideal Concept Limited, were partners in the event. The theme was “Accountability in Local Government: A Springboard for National Development” .
Commissioner Ishaku did not shy away from criticizing local government chairmen directly. He said it was disheartening when council leaders finish their terms without any clear legacy projects. He questioned whether such officials deserved their positions in the first place .
To tackle this, the ICPC is pushing for specific system reforms in Kaduna. A key demand is that all major capital disbursements to local governments must be linked to concrete projects. This would allow for proper monitoring and evaluation of how funds are used .
The commission urged Kaduna State to adopt its project tracking model. This initiative, launched under ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu, is a national program for all 774 local governments. The model involves physically tracking projects from start to finish. Ishaku reported that this approach has forced contractors to return to and complete many abandoned projects .
He also argued for a review of Nigeria's anti-corruption laws. Current punishments for graft are too weak to deter crime, he said. He gave the example of a light prison sentence for stealing billions of naira. Such penalties are merely a slap on the wrist, according to the commissioner .
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman Legas, also spoke at the event. He agreed with the ICPC's concerns and added another layer to the challenge. He pointed out that public attitudes sometimes undermine development efforts .
Legas provided a clear example from his ministry's work. He said they saved between eight and nine billion naira by repairing rural electrification projects in several areas. These areas included Zonkwa, Makarfi, Ikara, Kudan and Soba. However, communities later vandalized and stole the very transformers that were repaired .
This experience shows that government efforts alone cannot guarantee success. Legas stressed the need for community ownership and protection of public assets. He called for wider public enlightenment campaigns. He also advocated for stronger teamwork between government agencies and local communities .
The Kaduna workshop is part of a larger national strategy by the ICPC. Just one day before, on December 8, the commission trained directors from federal ministries and agencies. The focus was on tackling corruption and abuse in public procurement .
Procurement is a major vulnerability point. ICPC Secretary Clifford Oparaodu stated it accounts for 10 to 25 percent of Nigeria's GDP. He warned that this is where public budgets either become real projects or disappear into private pockets .
ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu detailed common problems found during project tracking. These include contract splitting and inflating invoices by 200 to 300 percent. Other issues are phantom contracts, duplicated projects, and diverted mobilization funds .
The commission believes technology is part of the solution. Aliyu said e-procurement systems can reduce human discretion and create an auditable trail. However, he noted that political will and adequate funding are essential for such reforms to work .
The urgency of the ICPC's message is underscored by a recent case in Kaduna. Just days ago, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested a former state contractor. Bashir Ibrahim is accused of a massive N30 billion fraud .
The EFCC alleges that Ibrahim continued to pose as a government consultant after his contract ended. He is said to have awarded fake contracts for hospital beds, drugs, and boreholes. He allegedly convinced contractors to supply these goods but then diverted them for personal sale or use .
Investigators found warehouses full of seized items. These included vehicles, generators, and medical supplies. Officials from the drug control agency confirmed some medicines were expired or counterfeit. A state health official declared the storage conditions unsafe .
This case demonstrates the real-world risks of weak oversight. It shows how funds meant for local development can be stolen. It also highlights the danger of substandard or harmful goods entering public systems .
The ICPC's central goal is to ensure public resources lead to visible development. The commission sees local government as the critical starting point for national change. It aims to translate budgets into real projects that benefit ordinary Nigerians .
Sakaba Ishaku concluded his remarks with a call for sustained effort. He said the commission is ready to keep working with all stakeholders in Kaduna. The fight against corruption requires constant vigilance and cooperation at every level of society .
The commission also continues to emphasize integrity in its own work. Recently, ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu reaffirmed the transparent process for disposing of assets recovered from corruption. He stressed that every recovered kobo must be used for national development .
Furthermore, the ICPC is actively engaging Nigerian youth. At the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day, Aliyu described young people as the key drivers of a corruption-free future. The commission runs programs in schools and youth service camps to build a culture of integrity .