Court upholds ICPC’s right to investigate alleged N350m contract dispute

A Federal High Court successful Abuja has ruled that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has the ineligible close to analyse an alleged N350 million declaration deal.

The determination followed an exertion by Paul Afagase Johnson, who asked the tribunal to forestall the anti-corruption bureau from inviting oregon investigating him implicit the matter.

Delivering judgement connected Monday, Justice J. K. Omotosho dismissed Johnson’s request, stating that the ICPC cannot beryllium barred from carrying retired investigations wrong its statutory remit.

Johnson had contended that the contented was simply a civilian quality arising from a declaration betwixt himself, Chief Richard Okozi, and Rokozi Investment Limited. He argued that the substance did not interest corruption and truthful should not impact the ICPC.

He besides claimed that some the Nigeria Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had antecedently invited him implicit the lawsuit and cleared him of immoderate wrongdoing.

Johnson further argued that the ICPC should not service arsenic a assemblage to retrieve debts. According to him, the commission’s invitation amounted to intimidation and threats of arrest, and infringed his cardinal quality rights.

In his lawsuit, helium asked the tribunal to restrain the ICPC from taking further enactment against him and sought N500 million successful damages.
However, Justice Omotosho rejected these argume...