ICPC Vows to Publish Recovered Assets, Owners and Status

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has pledged to periodically publish details of all recovered assets, including their owners and current status, in a significant move to strengthen transparency in Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign.

The assurance was given by Prince Hassan Mohammed, Director of Special Services at the ICPC and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the maiden General Assembly of the African Asset Recovery Practitioners’ Forum (AARPF) , during a media briefing in Abuja on Saturday.

“Definitely, ICPC will do that. Nothing is hidden. It’s a public document. Anything recovered is for the public, and so ICPC will definitely declare anything and whatever has been recovered,” Mohammed said.

He stressed that asset recovery should not end with the seizure of properties and funds but must also ensure such assets are properly managed and deployed for public benefit.

MORE THAN RECOVERY: ENSURING PUBLIC BENEFIT

Mohammed explained that the challenge is to ensure recovered proceeds do not become targets of further mismanagement or abuse.

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According to ThisDay, he emphasised that “it is not just about recovering assets, but ensuring that what was recovered is put to use for the benefit of the generality of the masses” .“It is an aspect of the fight against corruption which the African Union is advancing,” he added.

The AARPF General AssemblyThe pledge comes ahead of the maiden General Assembly of the AARPF, scheduled for November 17–20, 2026, in Abuja.

Established in Nairobi, Kenya, in April 2025, the forum operates under the auspices of the African Union and is designed to strengthen cooperation among asset recovery practitioners across the continent.

The assembly’s theme is “From Continent to Action: Enhancing Africa’s Asset Recovery Architecture Through Effective Implementation of the Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR)”.

It is expected to bring together representatives of African governments, anti-corruption institutions and international partners to translate CAPAR into practical measures for tracing, confiscating, recovering and repatriating illicitly acquired assets.

52–54 AFRICAN COUNTRIES EXPECTED

Mohammed put the expected attendance at about 52 to 54 African countries, although the final number was not confirmed during the briefing. He said the gathering would provide an opportunity for participating countries to exchange experiences, harmonise approaches and develop common strategies for tackling corruption and the concealment of illicit wealth.

“The purpose of the programme is to harmonise the fight against corruption, especially now that asset recovery has become an integral part of what anti-corruption agencies do all over the world. So here is to synergise, synthesise, come up with strategies, common ways to deal with this menace. Essentially, that’s what we’re doing,” he said.

NIGERIA’S STANDING AND SITE VISITS

On whether Nigeria was ahead of other African countries in asset recovery, Mohammed said comparison was difficult because some countries did not publicly disclose recovered assets.

“Some of these countries recover their assets and you don’t know what they have recovered. We don’t know whether they are doing their recoveries or not. But however, when we meet like this we have the opportunity to discuss in forums like this what has been recovered,” he explained.

He added that delegates would be taken to some locations in Nigeria to see how recovered assets were being managed and utilised, though he did not provide further details on the specific assets involved. ValidViewNetwork reports.