ICPC Warns Against Politically-Motivated Petitions

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has warned politicians to desist from sending frivolous petitions against political opponents.

According to a statement by the spokesperson for the commission, Azuka Ogugua, the chairman, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, said this on Friday while hosting the leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council at the commission’s headquarters.

The Cable reported on Friday that Owasanoye said some politicians use anti-corruption agencies in order to outdo their opponents.

He added, “Usually, when the season for competition comes, there is a spike in politically-motivated petitions for wild-goose chases. Some are brazen enough to tell you that we should make sure to stop Mr A from contesting and they will bring a petition forward. That is not our job, and we will not get involved in those things. We pack those types of petitions aside basically.

“Even if there is an implication of merit within the complaint, we will say ‘go and compete first’.

“We are not going to be the one to be used to give you the fair or unfair advantage. When the competition is over, we will decide on the merit or otherwise of what you have brought forward.”

He noted that the ICPC had an understanding with the Independent National Electoral Commission on how to address genuine electoral petitions.

He stated further, “We do have an understanding with INEC that in cases where contestants challenge each other in court and the decision says somebody forged a certificate for example, INEC will send those things to us, and we are prosecuting a few of them at the moment.

“Those are ways we will add value without compromising ourselves or exposing our officers to the compromise and desperation of politicians during the contest.”