Corruption : Reps Review Anti-Corruption Laws

The House of Representatives says strengthening the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the Code of Conduct Tribunal, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is essential to combating corruption and restoring public trust in government.

Lawmakers and stakeholders made the call in Abuja during a public hearing on three bills seeking amendments to the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and the ICPC Act organized by the House Committee on Anticorruption.

The proposed amendments include removing spouses from the list of persons required to declare assets, updating the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, and introducing compulsory counseling and training for individuals convicted of corruption-related offenses.

Chairman of the Committee, Kayode Moshood Akiolu, said the three institutions have long served as frontline agencies in promoting integrity and accountability, but their operations have been hampered by legal and structural gaps.

“These amendment bills are necessary and timely. Our objective is to strengthen the independence, investigative capacity, and adjudicatory powers of these institutions while ensuring due process and fair hearing.” he said

Akiolu said the committee aims to produce a well-rounded legislation shaped by broad stakeholder input.

He warned that corruption continues to undermine development, erode public trust, and weaken democratic institutions, adding that empowered anti-corruption bodies are necessary to rebuild confidence in governance.

Speaker of the House Dr Abbas Tajudeen who was represented by Deputy Minority Leader Aliyu Sani Madaki, said the institutions were established as key pillars in Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight but now require updated frameworks to meet evolving governance challenges

“Corruption has had the most negative impact on our development trajectory since independence,” This public hearing allows us to examine the proposed changes and weigh them against our national interest.” Abbas said.

He urged lawmakers and stakeholders to ensure the amendments strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption system, promote swift and fair trials, and rebuild public trust.

Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Mainasara Umar, said the proposed reforms would help establish a more specialized and effective structure for handling Code of Conduct violations.

“The amendments will enhance transparency, reduce delays, and improve accountability in the public service,” Umar said, urging the committee to fast-track the legislative process.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji