The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) is to collaborate with banks operating in Ogun and Oyo States in the anti-corruption fight.
Stephen Pimor, ICPC commissioner for Oyo and Ogun offices, stated this in Ibadan during the commission’s recent meeting with compliance officers of commercial banks in Oyo State.
Pimor said that the commission had facilitated the collaborative meeting to ensure smooth operations in its anti corruption war, describing banks as being critical in the corruption war.
“Commercial banks are very critical stakeholders in the fight against corruption. When people steal money, the first place they think of taking it is the bank” It is after keeping it in the bank that they will move it to the second bus-stop which is to invest in properties and other things.
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‘So, you can see that the banks are very important stakeholders in the fight against corruption. We cannot do without them. It is that strategic position they occupy in the anti-corruption war that is making us to parley with them and we hope that the parley would be productive,” said Primor.
The ICPC commissioner added that the collaborative meeting with the bank officers would also facilitate smooth execution of their assignments.
“Now that we are talking together to overcome areas that may cause hiccup, I think it will facilitate the response time of our activities too,” he said.
Elijah Adegboye, zonal head of compliance for one of the commercial banks, said that ICPC was interested in bringing compliance officers in the banks together to forge a harmonious working relationship.
According to him, the essence of the meeting was to collaborate and discuss areas where there had been challenges in their relationship with the commission.
Adegboye said that they were able to share their challenges with the commission and affirmed their support in the fight against corruption.
“I believe that going forward, some of the reference in our relationship would be smoothened.
“We now know ourselves by name and the agents of the commission as well as compliance agents of the banks. By this interaction our working relationship is going to improve from now” he said.
The session was attended by compliance officers from various commercial banks operating in Oyo State.
