The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to interrogate some former governors for interrogation over allegations bordering on corruption and abuse of public office during their respective tenures.
New Telegraph’s investigation showed that over six former governors, cutting across party lines, would soon be summoned to the anti-graft agency’s headquarters in Abuja for grilling by ICPC operatives. The impending grilling of the former governors came following the readiness of reports of a special investigations ordered into their tenures.
A source said yesterday that the panel considering reports of investigations being submitted by a crack team known as “Chairman Special Team,” is headed by the Head of the commission’s Investigation Unit. He added that the commission would invite the former governors in groups, to demonstrate to the public that it does not consider party affiliation in the discharge of its mandate. The source, however, refused to give the names of the former governors that would be quizzed.
New Telegraph had reported in September that the ICPC had dispatched special teams to Jigawa, Rivers, Kano and Enugu states to scrutinise accounts of past administrations in the states.
Other states whose past governments were under probe as had been reported were Katsina, Akwa Ibom and Oyo. “I will not mention names, but all I can disclose to you now is the fact that the Chairman Special Team have since been turning in reports of their investigations and very soon former governors will be invited for questioning on allegations of corruption, abuse of office and such other related offences.
“They (the probe team) are coming back with their reports and the commission’s leadership is studying them with a view to instituting ironcast cases where substantial evidence to sustain charges are established. “The committee considering all the reports is headed by the head of the Investigative Unit.
“Importantly, I want to let you know that the exgovernors will be invited in groups in such a way that it won’t be sectional. The petitioners will be invited alongside the governors to authenticate their claims. ICPC hardly files more than eight charges and our lawyers are always meticulous in their prosecution,” the source said. The Resident Consultant (Media and Events), Mr. Folu Olamiti, could not be reached for further information on the matter.
Source: newtelegraphonline.com
