POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION INAUGURATES ANTI-CORRUPTION AND TRANSPARENCY UNIT

 

The Police Service Commission Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit was today, Tuesday, September 24th 2024,  inaugurated.  The inauguration was conducted by a team from the Independent  Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, led by Olusegun Adigun, who represented the Chairman of the Commission,  Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.

Speaking at the ceremony,  the Chairman of the Commission,  DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd,  mni, told the new team that they are now in the temple of justice and should eschew tribal and religious sentiments in the discharge of their duty.

DIG Argungu  reminded them that it is Nigeria first and that they should feel free to blow the whistle on him if found guilty of Corrupt Practices. "Come and confront me if you hear that I have diverted money. Don't waste time to hold me accountable for any financial infractions", he declared. 

He said they should operate above the yoke of tribalism, nepotism and religious sentiments and bring all bad elements in the Commission to book. You have to be upright, he further advised the new Members of the Unit.

The Chairman of the ICPC, who spoke through Olusegun  Adigun said the Anti Corruption  Transparency Unit is an initiative  of the ICPC approved by the Federal Government  to serve as an in- house check mechanism  for Corruption  prevention  within  "MDAs, in line with global best practices  of building strong institutions  and entrenching Good governance in the fight against corruption ".

He said ACTU complements the ICPC in building strong institutions  and fostering principles of accountability  and Transparency  in Government  MDAs.

The ICPC Chairman said the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit of the Commission  will be a veritable tool in the achievement of PSC vision of becoming a highly motivated, professional,  disciplined and accountable Police Service that upholds human rights " if allowed to effectively discharge its functions ".

According to the ICPC Chairman,  " it is hoped that with this inauguration, the Unit  will be empowered to deliver on its mandate but noted "that ACTU is not envisioned as a parallel authority to the Management,  rather it is expected  to operate under the direct oversight of the Chairman  so as to complement Management's efforts in promoting Transparency  and accountability within the Commission "

DIG Taiwo Lakanu, Honourable Commissioner in the Commission pledged the support of the Commission in ensuring that the Unit succeeds in this onerous assignment.

"We will cooperate with the Chairman,  work with him and propagate  his lofty ideals to make the Commission Corrupt free.

The new Chairman  of the PSC ACTU, Nasidi Yusuf in his acceptance speech after the inauguration pledged to uphold the principle of integrity, accountability  and transparency,  forster a culture of zero tolerance for corruption and ensure seamless collaboration  with ICPC and other stakeholders. 

Mr. Nasidi said the new team will promote education  and awareness on anti' Corruption  best practices, address corruption related issues promptly and called on his other Members to join him to identify and mitigate Corruption risks, develop and implement  effective  anti Corruption strategies and monitor  and evaluate progress.

Ikechukwu Ani 

Head, Press and Public RelationsTuesday, 

September 24th 2024