Incoming lawmakers have been warned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Economic and Financial crimes Commission, EFCC, to be mindful of corruption pitfalls as they go about their legislative business.
The commissions categorically pointed to the exercise of oversight functions, contract awards and soliciting appointments into public offices for their constituency members as areas to be wary of.
Chairmen of the ICPC and the EFCC, Ekpo Nta and Ibrahim Lamorde respectively gave the warnings yesterday during the induction certificate course organized for newly elected lawmakers from the Houses of Assembly, in Abuja.
While kicking against lobbying and recommendations from legislators on contract awards and public office appointments, the ICPC boss advised the lawmakers to leave award of contracts and appointments for the executive as it was their statutory duties to which there are laws guiding the conduct.
Nta however made it clear that he was not at the retreat to issue threat , but to intimate the incoming lawmakers on some areas they need to be careful with while performing their duties, considering that there will be many requests and much pressure that will come from members of their constituencies.
According to him, “As members of the National Assembly, you will be under very severe pressure to undermine all the provisions of the laudable laws you have passed or will pass.
“Your constituencies will remind you constantly that you are here through their votes and that in return, you must fund all their future marriages, naming ceremonies, burials, provision of scholarships, potable water and electricity, jobs in selected government offices either as your PA or full time employment.
“All the roads leading to your communities must be tarred, and if already tarred provided with street lights, sponsor medical treatments abroad or locally. How do you intend to fund all these activities? The answer is yours to provide. How you can avoid all these? Hold all the agencies that should provide social services strictly accountable by demanding accountability and openness,” he advised.
Nta was categorical on the position of ICPC, noting that if any one of them is suspected of any corruption offence. He said; “it is the position of the law that the lawmakers themselves made and made certain Acts punishable under the law and we are not the one who will punish.
“We simply present the facts to the court that this is what has happened in this instance, and the court will decide whether we were right or they were right in doing it.
“What I’m saying is that I’m giving you an advise now, if you take that advise, we will remain friends, but if you don’t take that advise and do things which under the law are not correct, we will now have to invite you to come and address us on petitions we have received in respect of an infraction,” he pointed out.
For Lamorde, the EFCC might not wait for petition before taking step against any public official including the lawmaker if it noticed that they were living above their means.
Represented at the event by Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Osita Nwajah, he stressed that the commission was empowered to do so by virtue of section 7 of the establishment Act.
Lamorde pointed out that it will not be difficult for the EFCC to move into such a situation without petitions considering that what the legislators earn is no secret.
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