The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission on Sunday warned airport staff and travellers to desist from illicit transactions, saying the commission had begun a secret surveillance at the nation’s airports to check corrupt practices.
The ICPC, in a statement signed by its media consultant, Folu Olamiti, said any person giving or receiving bribes or soliciting same at the airports would be arrested and prosecuted and could face a five-year jail term.
According to the statement, the ICPC Chairman, Mr. Nta Ekpo, disclosed the new measure during ‘Focus,’ an African Independent Television programme in Abuja.
Ekpo urged Nigerians to report any airport staff who demand bribe by calling the ICPC toll free lines: 08031230280, 08031230281, 08031230282, 07056990190 and 07056990191.
The ICPC boss said the era of impunity and other illegal practices at the nation’s international airports was over.
According to Ekpo, notices would be prominently displayed at strategic locations within the airports to educate all travellers entering or leaving Nigeria on the zero tolerance for corrupt practices like offering bribes, whether solicited or unsolicited.
“Ethics and Integrity training would be arranged for all airport staff by the ICPC in addition to subscription to an airport code of professional conduct. Giving airport staff tips, other than for payment for receipted services, would be treated as solicitation and attract sanctions,” Ekpo said.
Ekpo said the commission had undertaken a similar Corruption Risk Assessment exercise at selected sea ports a few months ago, adding that some ICPC operatives were undergoing training with the Nigerian Customs Service to better understand the processes at the sea ports in order to effectively check abuses.
Ekpo, who drew instances from neighboring country Ghana, said travellers were not harassed by airport officials.
He said, “The ICPC has been able to do a lot of clean up of fake or fraudulent intent to collect visas from the High Commission of India and the embassies of Spain, Brazil and the United States. I can tell you that the embassies are more relaxed now. If you have a genuine reason to travel, they will give you a visa.”
”Whenever you are travelling abroad, correctly declare whatever that you are carrying in order to avoid any embarrassment from airport officials. Even the way you will be treated abroad will be different if you go by the rules.”
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