The Government of Namibia has sought assistance from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to combat corruption within the country.
Recognising Nigeria’s leadership in the fight against corruption in Africa, the Namibian government aims to learn from its notable achievements.
A statement from the commission’s website on Saturday, October 12, revealed that the partnership focuses on “exploring training opportunities and sharing expertise with personnel from the Namibian Anti-corruption Commission.”
This request was made on Friday, October 11, during a courtesy visit by Namibia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Humphrey Geise, to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja.
Geise remarked that Nigeria holds a significant position in Africa’s anti-corruption efforts, and its expertise should be shared with other nations on the continent. He mentioned Namibia’s own anti-corruption agency, the Anti-Corruption Commission of Namibia (ACC), and expressed interest in learning from Nigeria’s successes, particularly in recovering stolen assets through the ICPC and EFCC.
“The fight against corruption is evolving in Africa, and we believe Nigeria should lead by sharing its expertise. We hope it will welcome other African nations like Namibia to learn from its experience,” the envoy stated.
He added, “It’s essential for Namibia to gain knowledge within the continent rather than seeking it elsewhere.”
The statement also highlighted comments from ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, who welcomed Geise’s participation in the launch of the ICPC’s Strategic Action Plan for 2024-2028. He emphasised that combating corruption in Africa requires collaboration.
“Corruption operates through networks. Therefore, we must unite on the continent to disrupt these illegal practices, which will lead to improved governance and increased foreign direct investment,” he stated.
Dr. Aliyu acknowledged the Memorandum of Understanding signed by his predecessor, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, and reassured that the ICPC is ready to assist the Namibian Anti-corruption Commission. He also mentioned the Anti-corruption Academy, which trains personnel, expressing optimism about mutual learning opportunities.
