ANTI-CORRUPTION: CPC asked to investigate alleged NECO examination scandal
A media organization, Signature TV has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe some personnel of the National Examination Council (NECO) for alleged involvement in examination malpractices at a centre in Kaduna State.
Speaking at the launch of the outfit’s TV series Corruption Tori Season Two in Abuja, Chief Executive Officer of Signature TV, Mr. Vinmartin Obiora Ilo explained that in one of its investigative reports, Signature TV uncovered how some NECO officials conspired with prospective candidates to undermine the integrity of their examination.
“The story, which was published by more than 25 media houses a day after it broke, led to the shut-down of the examination centre in Kaduna by NECO while an investigative enquiry was set up by the NECO Board,” Ilo disclosed, lamenting, however, that since then, nothing had been heard about the case despite promises by NECO to send their findings to ICPC for further investigation.
Accordingly, Ilo called on ICPC to wade into the case and bring anyone culpable to justice.
In his speech at the event, ICPC Chairman, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, represented by Assistant Director, Mr. Hassan Salihu, discussing the topic, Corruption Fighting Back, said: “It is only natural for those who benefit from the status quo to fight any reform aimed at fighting corruption; whenever corruption is threatened, it fights back.”
Owasanoye also noted that corruption was not only a threat to national security but a threat to political and socio-economic development of the country, and called on the media and more civil society organisations (CSOs) to take a cue from what Signature TV and get more involved in promoting the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
“Corruption is a threat to national security. It is a threat to social cultural and political economy. The way forward is for everyone to come on board just like Signature TV is doing. The media, civil society organizations, critical stakeholders like Signature TV to come on board and fight this cankerworm,” the ICPC boss said.
Owasanoye pointed out how Corruption Tori’s objective of causing attitudinal change among Nigerians aligned itself with the Commission’s National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP).
Highlighting how the Commission was making significant inroads with its Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative; System Study and Review, Owasanoye said the initiatives had forced contractors who had abandoned projects back to sites and saved billions of naira for the government.
Aimed at causing attitudinal change and making Nigerians demand for accountability and transparency by holding leaders to account, Corruption Tori is an anti-corruption programme supported by MacArthur Foundation and aired on the Network Services of the African Independent Television (AIT) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Abeyanews.com
