PHCN, Police Most Corrupt in Nigeria, By ICPC

June 29, 2006/thisday

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said that the Power Holding Company of Nigeria   (PHCN) and the Nigeria Police Force are the most corrupt public  institutions in Nigeria.

The Commission at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday said  this was a result of various surveys of public institutions carried  out in recent times across the country.

ICPC Chairman, Justice Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola, who was represented  at the briefing by Mr. Folu Olamiti, Consultant on Media and Events,  said public office holders and government officials are now to hold  interactive sessions with the Commission and members of the press and  the general public to intimate Nigerians on how they are going about  fighting corruption in their organisations.

In his words, "Some surveys have been taken in the last few years and  it has been held that the PHCN and the Nigeria Police are two of the  most corrupt public institutions in Nigeria. In PHCN, over 500 staff  have been dismissed in the last two years for corruption and other  related offences.

According to him, "Starting from July 18th, the Commission will be  holding a monthly interactive session known as ICPC Guest  Forum. Top government officials would be invited to the auditorium to face the press and interested members of the public.

They are to face public scrutiny and brief on activities of their   various ministries. The Managing Director of Power Holding Company of   Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Makoju has agreed to feature in the maiden edition  of the forum.

The chairman explained that the forum was not aimed at laundering "We are asking them to come and let Nigerians know  what they are doing to fight and check corruption in their  organisations, he said.

He said that the challenge the Commission has been facing is  non-co-operation from the general public as regards petition and evidence to support allegations made against public officials and  political office holders.

On the allegation of graft in the National assembly, he said. "We are expecting people to petition the Commission and as soon as we  get the petition we go after them. We can not just work on assumptions and allegations without supporting evidence. The chairman has said  times without number that the public has to lodge complaint, and the  press that broke the news probably have additional information to  assist the Commission. Without all these, it will be difficult to go  after them.

Meanwhile, a Deputy Director of the Independent National Electoral  Commission, INEC is standing trial before an Abuja High Court for  corrupt practices.

The case which comes up for hearing on July 4th is before Justice Ishaq Bello.

The accused (names withheld) was alleged to have recommended and used  her company (McRoy Nig. Ltd) to obtain a contract from INEC in  contravention of section 12 of the ICPC Act.