The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has threatened that the federal government won’t hesitate to sack any public servants that leaked classified documents to members of the public.
The ICPC who gave the warning at a sensitisation forum organised by the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Federal Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with the commission in Abuja, warned civil servants against fraud, bribery and other forms of corrupt practices.
They, however, warned that anyone found to have leaked unauthorised documents would be dismissed.
The commission’s Director of System Study and Review Department, Olusegun Adigun, expressed the confidence that Nigeria is winning the war against corruption, but should do better.
“The release of classified documents is a serious misconduct which can lead to dismissal in civil service. This is because we are not expected to release any document without the permission of the authority.”
Adigun expressed the confidence that Nigeria is winning the anti-graft war, adding: “We are winning the war against corruption. Though we are not there yet, but by the grace of God, we are going to be there. Without the ICPC and our sister agencies and other law enforcement agencies, the situation would have been worse. My appeal is for a change of attitude, and Nigeria will be better for it.”
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The acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, Musa Ibrahim, said the forum would help sustain the tempo of zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices in the ministry by encouraging staff to institutionalise integrity, honesty and transparency in the discharge of their duties.
Musa, who was represented by the ministry’s Director Special Duties, Dr. Vivian Nwosu, described corruption as a killer of development.
He said: “Corruption is viewed as a misuse of resources or power for private gain or the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. You will agree with me that corruption is a national cancer, a national malaise and indeed a merciless national development killer.
“It deserves concentrated efforts through enthroning integrity, honesty, transparency and good governance in the workplaces to bring the monster under strict control.
“Integrity in the work place benefits the government and its citizens in that it fosters and open and positive work environment and promotes strong and resilient teams.”
