A media organisation, Signature TV, has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe some staff of the National Examination Council (NECO) for allegedly engaging in examination scandals at a centre in Kaduna State.

In a statement signed by the Spokeperson of ICPC, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, the Chief Executive Officer of Signature TV, Mr. Vinmartin Obiora Ilo made the call during the unveiling of ‘Corruption Tori Season Two’ in Abuja. Ilo in his remark at the event explained that in one of its investigative reportage, it uncovered how some NECO officials colluded with prospective candidates to undermine the integrity of their examination.

According to him, the story, which was published by more than 25 media houses a day after it broke, led to the flagging up of the examination centre in Kaduna by NECO and an investigative enquiry was set up by NECO Board. Mr. Ilo however, lamented that in spite of the fact that NECO had promised to send their findings to ICPC for further investigation, nothing has been heard of the case again so far. He therefore called on ICPC to wade into the case and bring anyone culpable to justice. Speaking at the event with the topic, ‘Corruption Fighting Back’, ICPC Chairman, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, who was represented by Assistant Director, Mr. Hassan Salihu, said that it was only natural for those who benefit from the status quo to fight back any reform aimed at fighting corruption, stating that whenever ‘corruption is threatened, it fights back.’ The chairman noted that corruption was not only a threat to national security, but also a threat to political and socio-economic development of Nigeria. Owasanoye pointed out how Corruption Tori’s objective of causing attitudinal change among Nigerians aligned itself with the Commission’s National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP). According to him, the NEIP, which was developed in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), was approved by the Federal Executive Council on August 19, 2020 and launched by Mr. President on September 28, 2020 and seeks the return of Nigerians to values of old that made the country great.