The House of Representatives has declared that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) deserves increased funding and formal commendation from the Federal Government, citing its strong performance despite significant financial constraints.
Lawmakers made the declaration during the Commission’s defense of its 2026 budget proposal before the House Committee on Anti-Corruption.
Members of the committee praised the ICPC for achieving substantial recoveries for the Federal Government while operating with what they described as inadequate funding.
The lawmakers questioned the rationale behind underfunding an agency tasked with combating corruption, warning that insufficient funding could undermine its effectiveness and expose personnel handling sensitive investigations to operational risks.
Chairman of the Committee, Kayode Akiolu, commended the ICPC and its leadership, describing the Commission as a credible anti-corruption agency whose operational methods align with international best practices.
He also praised the ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu, for strengthening institutional integrity and promoting effective law enforcement.
Similarly, Abdulmaleek Abdulraheem, representing Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency of Kogi State, highlighted the Commission’s exceptional performance relative to its funding.
“You only got N2.8 billion last year, yet you were able to recover N33.16 billion and 1.8 million dollars, alongside numerous convictions,” Abdulraheem said.
He noted that several agencies receiving higher funding have failed to generate comparable returns, urging the committee to support improved funding for the ICPC.
“As a committee, we must do something for the ICPC. They deserve commendation, and we must also scrutinize their appropriation. Whatever was deducted from their 2026 budget should be refunded. If they cannot be given more than what was approved in 2025, they should not go below that figure,” he added.
The lawmaker further warned that continued underfunding could expose the Commission to operational vulnerabilities and compromise its independence.
Other committee members also proposed legislative amendments that would allow the ICPC to retain a percentage of recovered funds to support its operational needs, similar to arrangements in place for other revenue-generating government agencies.
Aliyu Mustapha Abdullahi, representing Ikara/Kubau Federal Constituency, said such a measure would strengthen the Commission’s efficiency and reduce reliance on inconsistent government allocations.
“We must push for an arrangement that allows the Commission to retain a certain percentage of its recoveries, just as other agencies do, to enhance efficiency and operational stability,” he said.
Earlier, ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu appealed to the National Assembly for increased funding, noting that inadequate budgetary releases had severely affected the Commission’s operations in 2025.
According to him, only N2.1 billion, representing about 28 percent of the N7.82 billion approved for overhead costs, was released. He explained that the funding shortfall forced investigators and prosecutors to rely on personal funds to carry out official assignments, including attending court proceedings and conducting investigations.
“Our lawyers and investigators often had to deploy personal funds due to limited operational resources. Several investigations were stalled, and we faced difficulties meeting financial obligations, including payment for rented offices,” he said.
Aliyu also disclosed that of the N7.3 billion approved for capital expenditure, only N400.49 million, representing about five percent, was released, and the funds were disbursed late in November 2025, limiting project implementation.
Despite these challenges, the ICPC recorded significant achievements, including the recovery of N33.1 billion and 1.8 million dollars, filing of 72 cases, and securing 36 convictions. The Commission is also currently prosecuting about 400 cases across courts nationwide.
In addition, the Commission received 1,107 petitions, assigned 700 for investigation, and concluded 150 cases. It also deployed Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecards across 344 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, and inaugurated 131 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units nationwide.
Aliyu expressed concern over proposed reductions in the Commission’s 2026 budget, which was cut from its N25.8 billion proposal, including reductions of N4.7 billion in overhead and N2.2 billion in capital expenditure.
He, however, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent resource management if its funding is improved.
The ICPC management had earlier appeared before the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption to defend its budget proposal, where lawmakers assured the Commission that efforts would be made to engage the Senate Committee on Appropriation to review its funding allocation.