Tinubu Appoints Aliyu As New ICPC Chairman, Oparaodu As Secretary

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Musa Aliyu, a lawyer and Attorney-General of Jigawa State, as the new chairperson of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He also appointed Clifford Oparaodu as the secretary to the commission, a statement by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, said on Tuesday.

The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

The appointment, according to the statement, is sequel to the request of the outgoing chairman of the commission, Bolaji Owasanoye, whose statutory tenure still remains over three months, “to proceed on pre-end of tenure leave beginning on 4 November 2023”.

Mr Owasanoye’s tenure is statutorily due to expire on 3 February 2024.

The presidential statement on Tuesday said the appointment of Mr Aliyu as the ICPC chairman and Mr Oparaodu as the secretary of the commission is part of Mr Tinubu’s agenda “to reform key institutions and invigorate Nigeria’s war on corruption”.

The announcement comes on the heels of the president’s controversial appointment of Olanipekun Olukoyede as the chairperson of the sister anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The presidency said the newly named ICPC chair, Mr Aliyu “has embarked upon many far-reaching reforms as the Attorney General of Jigawa State since September 2019 and holds Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees in Law.”

“He was also named as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria-designate in October 2023,” the statement added.

The secretary, Mr Oparaodu, the statement said, is also a lawyer with over 30 years of experience.

According to the presidency, Mr Oparaodu “has served meritoriously in the public service as a Member of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission and Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council.”