- Urges ICPC To Pursue Mandate
THE Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof Epiphany Azinge, has lamented the activities of suspected Internet Fraudsters in Asaba, calling on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to seek ways to check their hydra-headed menace in the area.
The monarch made the call in his palace when the State Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Mr. Ufot Edet, visited him in Asaba.
According to him, the fight against corrupt practices under any guise remained the core mandate of ICPC, with the eagle’s eye only on public offices.
The Asagba, however, said discretionarily the Commission could extend its mandate to curbing the menace of yahoo yahoo fraudsters , which had repeatedly been reported to the Police, DSS, amongst other security agencies, expressing optimism that if the Commission could reason out of the box, with its detailed and thorough mode of operation, it might succeed where others had failed.
He lamented that the yahoo yahoo scourge was hurting the name of Asaba and portraying the town as the hub of Internet fraud.
Asagba Prof Azinge admitted that traditional rulers could play a critical role in the fight against corruption by being transparent with their dealings, especially the appropriation of community finances, emphasizing that transparency and accountability evoked the confidence and trust of the people in their leaders, and had remained part of the guiding virtues in the exercise of his sovereign power.
His Majesty said his approach to the appropriation of public funds was in tandem with the mandate of the ICPC, and assured the anti-graft agency that he would lead advocacy on transparency and accountability in people’s daily engagements.
The visiting Resident Commissioner, Mr. Ufot Edet, acknowledged and recognized the critical role that traditional rulers could play in shaping values, guiding communities, societies, and upholding moral standards.
Mr. Edet urged Asagba Prof Azinge to use his wisdom, influence, and position to mobilize community leaders, sensitize his subjects and encourage traditional platforms to promote integrity, fairness, and accountability in all areas of life, adding that as the custodian of the cultural heritage of Asaba, the monarch should support the national effort against corruption, which had remained one of the obstacles to progress in the country, affecting access to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and opportunities for the youths.
