FRC, ICPC Sign Landmark MoU to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Collaboration

By Iyojo Ameh

Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts received a major boost on Monday as the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen transparency, accountability, and enforcement in public finance management.

The agreement, formalized on International Anti-Corruption Day, was described as historic by the Executive Chairman of FRC, Mr. Victor Muruako, and the Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN. Both leaders said the collaboration demonstrates renewed institutional commitment to safeguarding public funds and confronting systemic financial misconduct.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the two chairmen said the MoU will enhance fiscal discipline, improve institutional synergy, and foster coordinated responses to corruption-related violations, particularly those involving public resources.

Under the new partnership, the agencies will collaborate on capacity building, joint investigations, asset tracing, information sharing, and public enlightenment. As part of the agreement, the ICPC’s Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) will offer specialized training to FRC staff in forensic auditing, financial crime detection, digital evidence handling, and prosecution support. Both agencies will also deploy experts to joint workshops and awareness programmes.

A key provision of the MoU enables joint enforcement operations in cases involving the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, and the ICPC Act, 2000—ensuring faster and more effective action against financial offenses.

The agreement also establishes a structured and confidential information-sharing framework while enforcing strict compliance with legal and ethical standards. Officials say the framework will help eliminate institutional bottlenecks that have historically slowed down anti-corruption and accountability processes across the public sector.

The MoU may be terminated with a 30-day notice by either party, signaling flexibility in the partnership while underscoring accountability commitments.

Senior officials from both agencies witnessed the signing. The FRC delegation included Barr. Charles Chukwuemeka Abana (Director, Legal, Investigation and Enforcement); Bede Ogueri Anyanwu (Deputy Director, Strategic Communications); Mr. Bello Gulmare (Deputy Director, Monitoring and Evaluation); and Mr. Ugo Chinemerem Uzoma (Deputy Director, Protocol and SERVICOM).

The ICPC team included Sir Clifford Okwudiri Oparandu; Mr. Henry Emore (Director of Legal); Mr. Shehu Yahaya, FSC (Director, Policy and Standards); Mr. Ibrahim Garba Kajaya (Head, Procurement); Mr. Ambrose Songo, FCAI (Head, Audit); Mr. Sunday Ibrahim (representing the Director of Finance and Administration); Mr. Bashir Dagoro; and Mrs. Chinyere Emeoha (Deputy Director, Human Resources).

The ceremony concluded with both chairmen reaffirming their shared resolve to strengthen transparency, enforce fiscal discipline, combat public sector corruption, and promote sustainable national development in line with Nigeria’s laws and governance objectives.