Nigeria’s anti-corruption watchdog has issued a stern warning to employees of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to steer clear of corrupt practices, emphasizing that violations will result in legal prosecution. The caution came during a quarterly anti-graft workshop organized by the NDDC in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), aimed at curbing misconduct in the region’s key development agency.
Speaking at the event, ICPC Commissioner Ekere Usiere, overseeing Rivers and Bayelsa states, stressed the agency’s zero-tolerance stance toward corruption. Highlighting the NDDC’s critical mandate to drive infrastructure and socio-economic progress in the oil-rich Niger Delta, Usiere underscored the need for regular training to instill accountability. “This workshop, themed Infractions/Offences in Anti-Graft Laws; Preventive Measures, equips staff to recognize and resist corruption,” she stated, adding that those caught engaging in unethical acts would face “the full wrath of the law.”
The workshop also featured insights from Dr. Evans Peters, ICPC’s Head of Legal in Rivers State, who urged systemic reforms within the NDDC. He called for bolstering the commission’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, implementing ethics guidelines, and conducting routine reviews of high-risk procedures. Peters outlined illegal practices such as contract inflation, unauthorized project awards, and obstruction of investigations, warning that even ill-gotten wealth linked to corruption would be seized by authorities. “Proceeds from crime are not yours to keep,” he said. “Ignorance of the law excuses no one—offenders risk imprisonment.”
Peters likened the ICPC Act to a “Bible” for public servants, urging strict adherence to prevent bribes, falsified records, and collusion in graft. His remarks were echoed by NDDC Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku, represented by Director of Administration James Fole, who affirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency. Ogbuku described the workshop as central to a broader initiative to improve governance and service delivery. “We demand diligence and integrity from our team,” he said, pledging that the board would entrench ethical standards across operations.
The NDDC, established to address developmental challenges in Nigeria’s volatile Niger Delta, has faced longstanding scrutiny over mismanagement allegations. The latest initiative signals renewed efforts to combat graft amid calls for greater accountability in public institutions. With Nigeria ranked 145th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, such measures highlight the government’s push to align with global anti-corruption frameworks while addressing local governance gaps.
The workshop concluded with a unified call for staff to embrace accountability, reflecting heightened urgency to restore trust in the commission’s ability to deliver on its mandate. As Usiere stated, “Corruption undermines development. Our collective responsibility is to ensure every resource reaches its intended purpose.”
