Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu SAN, was elected chairperson of the African Asset Recovery Practitioners’ Forum (AARP-F) by the interim council members of the forum, comprising representatives from African regional blocks, ARINs, and AAACA, in an election held in Arusha, Tanzania, on November 6, 2024.
Dr. Aliyu, who spoke after his election, stressed the need for members of the AARP Forum to uphold their charter’s objectives and advance efforts in asset tracking and repatriation to bring Africa’s development goals within reach. This was contained in a statement signed by Demola Bakare, fsi, Ag. Director, Public Enlightenment and Education/Spokesperson for the Commission.
The ICPC boss outlined the charter’s two primary goals: strengthening regional and international systems and monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR).
According to Dr Aliyu, realising these objectives requires close collaboration between forum members and their respective domestic Ministries of Justice and Judiciary.
He explained that such collaboration would help dismantle the legal barriers between African nations and facilitate a united front to secure the continent’s financial integrity.
The ICPC chairman further emphasised the need for a robust Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) framework under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to engage international recipients of illicit financial flows (IFFs).
He noted that this framework would encourage recipients to return assets that do not legitimately belong to them, whether held intentionally or unintentionally.
Dr. Aliyu stressed that strengthening existing legal frameworks is crucial to improving the efficiency of African criminal justice systems and overcoming procedural obstacles that hinder CAPAR’s objectives.
He noted that legal technicalities remain a significant challenge for prosecuting corruption in many African countries.
The ICPC chairman also highlighted the expertise within the forum’s diverse membership as a critical resource for overcoming the barriers limiting Africa’s progress.
Beyond financial recovery, he stated that AARP’s vision extends to reclaiming Africa’s cultural heritage, including artworks, artefacts, and all items significant to the continent’s identity.
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