The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has accused Akwa Ibom Government of hindering the prosecution of corrupt officials in the state.
The State Commissioner of ICPC, Mr Shola Shodipo while fielding questions from newsmen during the World Anti-Corruption Day 2019 on the theme “United Against Corruption” in Uyo on Monday said the government dragged the Commission to court.
Shodipo, who was represented by Mr Kalu Ugbo, Head of Legal Service, recalled that “The State Government took ICPC to court and we have been in the court for the parts four to five years now- from High Court, Ikot Ekpene to Court of Appeal in Calabar and Federal High Court, Uyo.
“So, because of the legal battle, and until the matter is determined the people of Akwa Ibom have not felt the impact of ICPC. If you are being taken to court, you cannot do anything until the matter is resolved in the court,” he said.
Shodipo urged the people of the state not to relent in their effort in submitting petitions to the commission.
He said that as soon as all cases were determned in Court, the Akwa Ibom people would begin to feel the impact of the commission in the state.
The state commissioner also stated that the office in Uyo had received several petitions against public officials but the commission could not act on them until after the determination of the cases in court.
He said, “We have so many petitions against so many people in Akwa Ibom State, but we cannot trial them because of the pending matter in the court.
“If you do anything contrary, that will 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 knowning that there is ICPC in Akwa Ibom State.”
Shodipo said that for anti-corruption war to be more effective, there was need for the establishment of Anti Corruption Court that would take charge of all criminal cases against corrupt practices as in some other part of the world.
