The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it is investigating alleged cases of corruption in the management of Covid-19 funds and palliatives.
The commission’s Director of Operations, Mr Akeem Lawal, disclosed this during a virtual meeting of stakeholders on the topic, “Covid-19 Funds Management and Monitoring”, on Thursday.
In a presentation titled, “ICPC Monitoring Obligation and Strategy Re: Covid-19 Emergency”, Lawal said the cases include alleged fraud by some participating public institution in the release and distribution of grains from strategic food reserve.
Others, according to him, include alleged infractions in the procurement of Covid-19 palliatives and logistics and community enlightenment activities.
The ICPC official, who did not mention names, said there were cases of state governments using the pandemic to “financially exploit local governments”.
He said there was also case of diversion of “Covid-19 logistics and contingency emergency fund into personal account.
“In all cases of infraction, culprits will be investigated and prosecuted,” the director said.
He added that the ICPC was monitoring distribution of money and food under the Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme and the Home School Feeding Programme.
Lawal stated that the commission’s intervention in the Covid-19 fund management was pursuant to its corruption prevention, enforcement and public sensitisation mandate.
He further said that the aim was to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilisation of the funds as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
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