Akwa Ibom hindering conviction of suspects – ICPC Alleges
![](https://cvnewsng.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ICPC-1.jpg)
Grace Udoh Uyo
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Akwa Ibom State office has accused the State government of working to frustrate prosecution through continued litigations.
This disclosure was made by the head of the legal services of ICPC, Mr Kalu Ugbo in Uyo, on Monday, during an interaction with newsmen, as part of the activities to mark the 2019 World Anti-Corruption Day tagged: “United Against Corruption”.
Speaking on behalf of the state commissioner, Shola Shodipo, Ugbo lamented that the action of the State government has stifled the operation of the anti-graft agency from swinging into appropriate actions.
He, however, encouraged the people of the State not to relent in submitting petitions, assuring that the impact of the Commission will soon be felt by the people.
He also used the occasion to advocate for the establishment of anti-corruption court to reduce the stress of prosecuting offenders as obtained in other climes.
His words “The State Government took ICPC to court and we have been in the court for the past four to five years now, from federal high court Ikot Ekpene to federal high court Calabar and appeal court. So because of the legal battle, and until the matter is determined, the people of Akwa Ibom would not be able to feel the impact of ICPC, because if you are being taken to court you cannot do anything until the matter is resolved in the court.
“We have so many petitions against so many people in Akwa Ibom State, but we cannot try them because of the pending matter in the court and if you do anything contrary, that would amount to contempt of the court. That is why it looks as if nobody has been prosecuted in Akwa Ibom State.
“We know that very soon, Akwa Ibom people will start knowing that there is ICPC in the State.
“In the year 2000, Akwa Ibom state government was a party in a suit between Auditor-General of Ondo state and Auditor General of the Federation and the 34 states of the federation. So now for Akwa Ibom State Government to have taken ICPC to court when we were not trying the State Government, it becomes quite worrisome.
” We have no power to try the State Government, but the individuals working in government establishments. So, these were the people we invited but before you know it, the Attorney General of the state now ran to court, first to Federal High Court at Ikot Ekpene, the matter was struck out, they ran to appeal court and the matter is still pending, all in a bid to scuttle the mandate of the Commission. So that is the predicament that ICPC is facing now.
“We do not have the power to audit the account of the State Government, it is only the job of Auditor General of the state. We just invited some officials of the State Government that we felt have gone contrary to the ICPC act. So we do not know whether the government is afraid or not, ours is to do our work as we should.
“We are in court now and we will keep receiving petitions from well fared Akwa Ibom people, but we cannot invite them because there is an order from the Federal High Court that we cannot invite anybody from Akwa Ibom State.
“There is need for the establishment of anti corruption court that will take charge of all criminal cases against corrupt practices as in any other part of the world”.