The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, have called on Nigerians to stop offering their Officers on duty bribes, .
They also urged the public to report any Officer who demands bribe from them to the appropriate authorities.
The 2 Federal Agencies were among participants at a one-day virtual Stakeholder dialogue on “Effective and Sustainable Strategies for Curbing Retail Corruption” organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, PACAC.
The Executive Secretary of PACAC, Prof. Sadiq Radda, said that citizens have a critical role to play in ending petty (retail) corruption, most of which occur in form of bribery.
He stated that he believes retail corruption can be reduced when citizens are law-abiding, and comply with the rules, and when institutions play their roles effectively.
His words: “Cutting corners is why we have retail corruption. There are processes for getting things done. We should have respect for process and procedures.”
Radda further called for the deployment of technology, to automate the processes that are prone to abuse.
He added that government Agencies have a duty to provide quality and efficient service delivery, to achieve a system where average Nigerians would not need to cut corners or get frustrated.
A Deputy Commissioner of Police, Olaolu Adegbite, of the Force Intelligence Bureau, speaking, urged Nigerians to report infractions by Officers and men to the X-Squad, the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit, and the Police Complaint Response Unit, PCRU.
He said: “The X-Squad Monitors unethical conduct. Citizens can approach the Squad with information.
“The IG Monitoring Unit also conducts sting operations, and arrests Officers in the field, and makes recoveries. Citizens must provide support through evidence.
“Citizens should stop the act of offering bribe and gratification, which is a crime under the Criminal Code.”
Also speaking, a Senior FRSC Official, Ntukidem Godwin, said that the Corps has deployed technology through body cameras to monitor Officers’ field activities in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, adding that, there are plans to replicate it in other States.
He stated that Nigerians who comply with traffic rules, do not have a reason to offer bribe to Road Safety Officers.
“Do not commit traffic violations, and do not offer our Officers bribe. Do not tempt us with bribe, so that we can let you go”, he warned.
Godwin added however, that some members of the public who make reports, hardly present evidence, which makes it difficult to sanction erring Officers.
The event featured a keynote address by the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, represented by Dr. Chris Chinda.
The Senate Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes Committee Chairman, Senator Suleiman Abdul Kwari, was represented by his Adviser, Ashley Emenike, at the event.
Other Speakers included: Abiodun Aikhomu of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, OAGF, Usman Dakinviri of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and the Executive Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, Debo Adeniran, among others.
More news later…
