Musa Aliyu, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) chairman, says the commission will strictly enforce the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy.

Mr Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said this on Thursday in Abuja at a one-day National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC) Members Hybrid Interactive Forum.

“Local governments must be governed by democratically elected people from the grassroots,” said Mr Aliyu.

The Supreme Court, on July 11, granted financial autonomy to all the local government councils nationwide.

The chairman warned those plotting against the law to check his records, saying the commission would ensure compliance with the Supreme Court verdict at all costs.

“You need to ensure that those who are going to be elected are people that have us in their mind, people that will discharge their responsibilities effectively in a responsible way.

”Not people that will divert public funds, and ICPC, as a commission, we will ensure that we impose compliance no matter what,” he said.

He said the constitution was clear on the matter and that the commission would ensure implementation to the letter.

”We have to protect the integrity of our courts. I will not stand by and watch some people dismantle it. Not during my time. They can do it if I am not here, but not while I am here. I am not scared. I am determined.

”I will protect the integrity of the court. I will lead the fight. I put my trust in God. Nobody can do anything to me except God allows it,“ he said.

In his welcome address, the commission’s secretary, Clifford Oparaodu, said fighting corruption required collective efforts.

“It requires collaboration and efforts from everybody who sees Nigeria as the only country that we have.

” So, it is important that your coming here today is being appreciated by the commission because, in our view, we cannot do it alone,” he said.

(NAN)