From James Ojo, Abuja
Members of the newly re-engineered National Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have been charged to mobilise and create awareness on the devastating effects of corruption.
The anti-corruption crusaders were also charged to enlighten the people on the laws governing the behaviour of public officials and their responsibilities towards citizens.
NAVC national coordinator, Mr. Mike Sowe, who gave the charge at the inauguration in Makurdi, Owerri and Port Harcourt, reminded the volunteers that it was part of their duty to assist the ICPC in the dissemination of information on its anti-corruption campaign, while also reporting acts of corruption to the commission.
“In carrying out your duties and responsibilities, remember that you cannot investigate on your own. All reports must be forwarded to ICPC for investigation and possible prosecution. You must remain above board, as the commission will not hesitate to prosecute any volunteer that commits any criminal offence,” he warned.
Sowe advised the volunteers not to deviate from the ideals and core objectives of NAVC, declaring that any of them who engaged in any criminal act would be prosecuted.
Spokesperson for the commission, Rasheedeat Okoduwa, stated that, at the inauguration of the Benue State chapter in Markudi, the state acting coordinator and member representing Kwande Constituency at the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Nungwa, admonished the volunteers against using NAVC for extortion and impersonation of ICPC operatives.
“No member of NAVC should impersonate ICPC staff. NAVC should rather serve as the eyes and ears of ICPC. We are whistleblowers and watchdogs; our job is to assist by reporting all corruption cases to ICPC,” he said.
Other volunteers who spoke at the events in Imo and Rivers states revealed that even though there were no material or financial benefits attached to the duties of the members of the corps, they were joining it because of their passion for a corruption-free Nigeria.
They also pledged to carry out their responsibilities with dedication, according to the corps’ guidelines.
At the Owerri inauguration, the coordinator of the Abia State chapter, Rev. Blessed U. Amalambu, cautioned the new volunteers to guard against acts that led to the disbandment of the corps in the first place.
The NAVC was initiated in 2008 by ICPC to provide a platform for ordinary Nigerian citizen volunteers to get involved personally and actively in the anti-corruption fight.
After its inception, the corps was inaugurated in most states of the federation, with each chapter headed by a coordinator. All state chapters were under the supervision of a national coordinator at the ICPC headquarters.
As NAVC gained popularity across the country, some volunteers deviated completely from the principles of the corps and resorted to arrests and interrogation of citizens while some even set up detention centres.
In view of the abuses, the commission in 2014 ordered the suspension of all activities of the corps nationwide in order to restore its ideals and noble objectives as well as maintain the commission’s integrity.