A coalition known as Network of Civil Society Organization in Nigeria, NCSON, has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission, ICPC, to explain to Nigerians how the Commission handled the case of false statements leveled against former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu 2014.
In a press conference organized on the 10th of July in Abuja, the group said, “In 2014, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) dragged the then Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Philip Shaibu to Edo State High Court sitting in Benin under the trial Judge, Justice Esther Edigion on a six-count charge for allegedly violating the provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
“According to the charge sheet Hon. Shaibu allegedly in July, 2010 at Abuja, made false statement to the officers of ICPC claiming that he was an employee of Zaknote Ventures Nigeria Limited from 2003 to 2006.”
National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Victor Kalu and the National Secretary, Alh. Ali Abatch disclosed that, “The accused person (Hon Philip Shaibu) was also alleged to have lied to the officials of the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue sometime in November, 2006 to fraudulently obtain a tax clearance certificate.
“The alleged false statements are offences that contravenes Section 23(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(b) of the ICPC Act, 2000.”
Mr Shaibu was said to have been arraigned in court at the time but has sort ways to evade full prosecution by the Commission.
“The Counsel to Hon. Shaibu, Mr. Ken Mozia (SAN) however, sought for bail ahead of the arraignment of the accused before the court by ICPC. According to him this was to enable him respond to the charges preferred against his client.
“But ICPC Counsel, Barr. Godson Igbadume, opposed the bail application. He argued that the bail application should be taken at the commencement of the trial.
“Barr. Igbadume said that Hon Shaibu has been evading service from the Commission stressing that efforts made to reach the accused person had proved abstruse until he was brought before court.
“After listening to the submissions of both Counsels, the trial Judge, Justice Esther Edigion agreed with the argument of the ICPC Counsel and adjourned the case till April 14, 2014 to enable the defence counsel respond to the charges as well as take the bail application.
“The case continued with adjournment upon adjournment without definite conclusion and judgement on the matter date.”
The statement called on the the Edo State High Court and the entire Judiciary to remain focused and committed in upholding the rule of law. It stressed that nobody should be treated as been above the law.
