The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has called for a more coordinated and united regional approach to asset recovery across West Africa.
Dr. Aliyu made the call on Tuesday while delivering his remarks at the 7th Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), held at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja.
He emphasized the need for stronger cooperation, information sharing, and mutual trust among anti-corruption agencies within the subregion, saying that “asset recovery is most effective when driven by regional and international cooperation anchored on mutual trust, legal reciprocity, and operational synergy among anti-corruption agencies.”
Describing the Assembly’s theme — “A United ECOWAS Against Corruption: Strengthening Regional Collaboration for Asset Recovery and Exchange of Information” — as both timely and urgent, the ICPC boss urged West African countries to deepen collaboration mechanisms to effectively trace, recover, and repatriate stolen assets.
“A unified, harmonized regional approach will enable us to track illicit gains swiftly and prevent their reinvestment within the ECOWAS subregion,” Dr. Aliyu added.
He highlighted the ICPC’s progress in both criminal and non-conviction-based forfeiture mechanisms, noting that while Nigeria has recorded several recoveries, domestic success alone cannot curb the scale of illicit financial flows without robust regional and global cooperation.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS and NACIWA anti-corruption agenda.
“Recovery of stolen assets is indeed at the core of the region’s fight against corruption,” Tinubu said, describing asset recovery as a central pillar of West Africa’s collective effort to reclaim its economic vitality.
He lamented that corruption and illicit financial flows have long undermined the region’s development and stability.
“West Africa’s post-independence economic and political trajectory has been blighted by corruption manifesting in the theft and stashing of our commonwealth abroad by corrupt officials,” the President stated.
Tinubu further warned that illicit outflows, resource theft, and the smuggling of mineral wealth continue to fuel insecurity, the proliferation of small arms, kidnapping, and banditry.
“These challenges have worsened the security and development outlook of our region,” he cautioned, urging the General Assembly to develop a new framework of inclusive action to strengthen anti-corruption efforts and promote sustainable growth.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and President of NACIWA, Barrister Ola Olukayode, said the Annual General Assembly provides an important platform for reflection and strategic planning among member states.
“It allows us to assess our progress and chart new directions for collaboration in our common fight against corruption,” Olukayode said.
The 7th NACIWA General Assembly drew participation from heads of anti-corruption agencies, Attorneys-General, and delegates across the West African subregion, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, among other dignitaries.
