(ICPC) over what has been described as ‘ineffectiveness’ of the agency
in recent times.
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, while reacting to alleged
fraud report against Minister of Information, Alh. Lai Mohammed in a
statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, accused the commission of
witch-hunting and lopsidedness in the ongoing fight against corruption
in Nigeria.
The statement was jointly signed by the President of Competent
Governance for Accountability and Civic Trust (CGACT), Omoba Micheal;
Deputy National Chairman, Urhobo South-South Youth Peace Mission
(USYPM), Godwin Erheriene; and Executive Director, Beyond Boundaries
Legacy Leadership Initiative (BBLLI), Omaga Daniel.
“We the Coalition of Civil Societies are using this medium to call on
the presidency for total overhaul of the Independent Corrupt Practices
and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as the anomalies recorded
in recent time, is far more than the right they have recorded under this
present leadership,” the statement partly read.
It would be recalled that ICPC had earlier queried the minister and
arraigned Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC),
Ishaq Kawu alongside the Managing Director of Pinnacle Communications,
Dipo Onifade, Founder and Chairman Board of Directors of Pinnacle, Lucky
Omoluwa and Pinnacle
Communications Ltd over N2.5bn fraud spent on Digital Switch Over.
But the coalition said the Commission is not playing according to the
rules of the anti-corruption fight under President Buhari-led
administration because due processes are not being followed, adding that
there are cases that show the ICPC has not done thorough investigations
over alleged fraud committed by some organisations.
It further said, “This record is not good for a growing nation like
Nigeria as it will discourage many well-meaning Nigerians both within
and outside the country, who intend to contribute their own quota to the
development of this nation. We are having growing worries over the too
many ‘unprofessional acts’ being displayed by the commission, just to
score cheap political points.“We are not unaware of the recent
misinformation on some organisations which are too important to this
nation and sensitive but being dragged to the mud by the ICPC.
“One, is the issue of Pinnacle Communication and National Broadcasting
Commission (NBC) regarding the Digital Switch Over (DSO) which when
completed will generate $1 billion annually for the Nigerian television
industry according to the Minister of Information and Culture.“It is so
apparent that the issue of ICPC fighting the company handling this
magnificent project is against the interest of the nation, as it is
obvious, because the petition alleging of the sum ofN2.5 billion to
Pinnacle Communication by NBC without due process, thereby making it a
baseless and factual media trial and also place a “post no debit” on the
account of Pinnacle Communication with Zenith Bank Plc.”
Meanwhile, the group also alleged that, “ICPC has current issue of
alleged indictment of the MD/CEO of Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading
(NBET), Marilyn Amobi, which has really cut the attention of many
because of the misinformation coming again from ICPC.”In giving instance
on the alleged witch-hunt by the Commission, the group said,
“The story claimed that the alleged ICPC report was dated February 6,
2019. And as at April 10, 2019, two days before the ICPC publication,
NBET staff was at the ICPC office to provide additional document to the
commission on the said issue. Why are they saying they have concluded
the investigation since February 6, 2019?“ICPC should be more
professional in its fight against corruption instead of this their media
trial strategy which they are using to dent the image of some
well-meaning Nigerians who are trying their best to see this Nation be
at par with best globally.