Process manipulation worse than bribery, RMAFC boss tells staff

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Muhammed Bello-Shehu, has warned that manipulating official processes poses a greater threat to public institutions than bribery and direct misappropriation of funds.

Bello-Shehu emphasized that corruption must not be viewed solely through the lens of financial inducements, noting that deliberate actions to bypass established procedures, institutional controls, and due process severely undermine public trust.

He stated this on Monday in Kaduna at the opening of a five-day capacity-building workshop for RMAFC staff.

The training focused on revenue integrity, institutional accountability, anti-corruption measures, and effective internal controls.

Represented by Ismail Mohammed-Agaka, the Chairman stressed that RMAFC’s constitutional role at the core of Nigeria’s fiscal governance demands total integrity from its personnel.

“The fight against corruption is not the responsibility of ACTU or ICPC alone.

“ It is a personal and institutional responsibility. Every decision we make, every process we manage, and every official action we take must pass the test of integrity, accountability, fairness, and transparency,” Bello-Shehu said.

He urged staff to avoid conflict of interest, favoritism, and the abuse of office, reiterating that strong internal controls are vital to preventing administrative misconduct and ensuring decisions align with regulatory guidelines.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director of Audit and Chairman of RMAFC’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), Dr. Idris Yusuf-Musa, reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to embedding accountability across the commission’s operations.

He commended the management and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for partnering to strengthen public service standards.

Participants at the workshop, including Nabila Abubakar and Aminu Ibrahim Imam, noted that the training provided critical insights into identifying administrative abuse, enforcing financial discipline, and ensuring value for money in public fund management.