Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has enjoined the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to uphold professional ethics in the discharge of its responsibilities so as to sustain the confidence of Nigerians in the commission.
Emmanuel, who gave the advice to members of the commission at Government House, Uyo, weekend, noted that the commission, being a reputable anti-graft agency, has commanded the respect of Nigerians following its operations.
Emmanuel said given the integrity of members of the commission selected purely on merit, it was impossible to believe that the body could compromise or be reduced to a tool for political witch-hunting and urged the commission to prosecute on conviction rather than on directives.
He explained that the operations of the state were anchored on transparency and accountability which was key to the industrialization blueprint of his administration, adding that Akwa Ibom people were reputed for integrity and openness in all their dealings, thus, earning them public trust and confidence all over the world.
The governor, however, decried the attitude of frivolous petitions authored by some citizens describing such petitions as smear publications rooted in misunderstandings or sheer mischief.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Secretary, South-South Zone of ICPC, Mr. Elvis Oglafa, said that the visit was to intimate the governor on the sensitization programme held in the state and to take the anti-corruption campaign to the doorsteps of the people at the grassroots.
