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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a legal victory at the Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, following the dismissal of two separate suits challenging its statutory powers to investigate corruption-related offences.
The suits were filed by two former members of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Kalu Chikwendu and Hon. Apugo Chukwudi J., who sought to restrain the Commission from inviting them over a petition concerning their activities while in office.
The cases, marked FHC/UM/CS/108/2025 and FHC/UM/CS/109/2025, questioned the constitutionality of Section 28 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The plaintiffs argued that the provision, under which they were invited by the ICPC, was inconsistent with Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantee personal liberty and fair hearing.
However, in its judgment delivered on Friday, the Court held that the Commission has the statutory authority to investigate offences bordering on corruption and related matters.
It further ruled that Section 28 of the Act is not inconsistent with the constitutional provisions cited by the plaintiffs.
The Commission’s spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey,in a statement signed and made available to the press in Kano, described the judgment as a significant affirmation of the Commission’s mandate to tackle corruption in the country.
The Court also observed that the actions of the former lawmakers amounted to an attempt to use the judicial process to shield themselves from lawful investigation.
It refused all the reliefs sought, stating that granting such requests would amount to providing judicial cover against the lawful exercise of the Commission’s statutory functions.
Describing the suits as having been initiated mala fide, the Court awarded costs of ₦500,000 against each of the plaintiffs.
With the dismissal of the suits, the ICPC is now cleared to proceed with its investigation into the petition concerning the former lawmakers. (Nigerian Tribune)
