The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Mr. Francis Nwosu, has said that the establishment of anti-corruption units in government ministries, departments and agencies has helped to reduce corruption in the public sector.
Nwosu, who spoke during the launch of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) in the Council by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), described the unit as an internal mechanism for checkmating corruption in MDAs.
He added that the presence of ACTU in public offices has made workers in government offices to be aware that corruption can easily be uncovered, therefore making them to adhere to laws and regulations in their places of work.
ICPC Chairman, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, in his remark at the occasion said that ACTU was backed by a government circular which mandated the Commission to create anti-corruption units in MDAs to help in the fight against corruption.
The Chairman who was represented by Mr. Olayinka Aiyegbayo of the System Study & Review Department (SSR), said the unit was not set up to witch-hunt management of NPC.
He listed the functions of ACTU to include conducting interim investigations, system study and review, and sensitization of staff on and against corruption.
At the end of the event, an oath of office was administered by Barr. Alice Bolarinwa on newly constituted members of the unit. Mr. Lanre Mohammed was elected as the Chairman while Mr. Elem Okoh will serve as Secretary of the unit.
