November 15, 2024
Diri

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has told a Federal High Court, sitting in Yenagoa, to prevent the Bayelsa State government from stopping the investigation of allegations of corruption leveled against some members of the state government.
ICPC in a preliminary objection, filed before Justice Hamma Adama Dashen, told the court that it had the statutory powers to investigate any act of corruption levelled against officials of state governments in Nigeria.
The Bayelsa State Government, through the State’s Attorney General, is challenging the powers of ICPC to demand for records of financial expenditure of the state government for the purpose of carrying out investigation into alleged corrupt practices by some past and serving public functionaries in the state.
The Solicitor-General of the State, Preye Agedah, Esq, in his argument, told the court that ICPC wrote several “Letters of Investigation Activities” pursuant to S. 28 and 29 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 (ICPC Act 2000) to several functionaries of the state government, including the Secretary to the State Government, Accountant General, and others demanding for financial records of the state.
He requested the court to stop ICPC from conducting a general audit of the state and usurping the constitutional role of various organs of the state government under the guise of investigating alleged corrupt practices.
Agedah submitted further that the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended, vests on the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and the Auditor-General of Bayelsa State the exclusive powers to direct an investigation into the finances of the state for the purposes of “exposing mismanagement, corruption or waste”.
He argued further that the demand made by ICPC for financial records of the state from 2008 till date looks more like an audit than an investigation.
Responding, counsel for ICPC, Adenekan Shogunle, Esq, submitted that the issue of the validity and constitutionality of the ICPC Act 2000 was decided with finality by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the case of AG ONDO v AG FEDERATION (2002), a case in which Bayelsa State was a party.
He further submitted that accordingly, having been made a party to the decision of the Supreme Court, no state in Nigeria can turn around to challenge the constitutionality and validity of the ICPC Act 2000 without offending the principle of issue estoppel.
He submitted that the remedy available to Bayelsa State, and indeed every other state that was privy to the decision, was to go back and ask the Supreme Court to revisit the issue and not to initiate a fresh claim before any other court in Nigeria.
On the issue of whether or not ICPC had the power to audit financial records of Bayelsa State, Shogunle argued that the allegation of seeking to audit the finances of the State was speculative and not based on any cogent evidence.
The ICPC counsel further argued that the objective of the Commission was clearly spelt out in the letters of “Investigation Activities” addressed to the officials of the state government in their capacity as custodians of public records, adding that ICPC officials introduced in the letters were detectives and not auditors.
Spokesperson of ICPC, Mrs Azuka Ogugua said, “he cited many decisions of the Supreme Court to show that the powers of legislative oversight vested in the State Houses of Assembly to order or conduct investigation into the finances of the State for the purpose of ‘exposing mismanagement, corruption or waste’ was neither exclusive nor synonymous with the power of criminal investigation vested in the executive arm of government, stressing that the statutory powers of ICPC does not conflict with that of any State House of Assembly.
“Shogunle then asked the Bayelsa State government to stop crying wolf where there was none and urged the court to dismiss the claim for lacking in merit and for constituting an abuse of court process”.
The Judge, Dashen, adjourned the matter to another date for ruling after listening to arguments from both parties.

111 thoughts on “ICPC tackles Diri over alleged corruption, as state govt threatens investigation by appealing to court

  1. My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and
    find many of your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for.
    can you offer guest writers to write content available for you?
    I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write with regards to here.
    Again, awesome site!

  2. My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on various websites for about a year and am concerned about switching to another platform. I have heard great things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  3. I have read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to make such a excellent informative web site.

  4. of course like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to inform the reality then again I will certainly come back again.

  5. Hey very cool website!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?KI am happy to find so many helpful info right here in the post, we’d like work out extra strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .

  6. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something that I feel I’d by no means understand. It kind of feels too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next submit, I will try to get the grasp of it!

  7. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100 sure. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

  8. The article has truly peaked my interest. I will take a note of your site and keep checking for new information about once per week have learn several just right stuff here 온라인카지노 I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really
    nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back
    later on. Cheers!!!

  9. I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog.“강남안마”
    I really hope to check out the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own blog now 😉

  10. Hey there are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any html coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!

  11. Im no longer positive the place you are getting your information, however great topic. I needs to spend a while finding out more or figuring out more. Thanks for magnificent information I used to be searching for this information for my mission.

  12. After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.

  13. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appeal. I must say you’ve done a very good job with this. Additionally, the blog loads super quick for me on Internet explorer. Exceptional Blog!

  14. EndoPump is a dietary supplement for men’s health. This supplement is said to improve the strength and stamina required by your body to perform various physical tasks. Because the supplement addresses issues associated with aging, it also provides support for a variety of other age-related issues that may affect the body. https://endopumpbuynow.us/

  15. You could definitely see your enthusiasm within the paintings you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart. “If the grass is greener in the other fellow’s yard – let him worry about cutting it.” by Fred Allen.

  16. I wanted to write you one little word to say thank you again with your splendid basics you’ve documented here. It’s quite tremendously generous with people like you to supply publicly all that most people might have made available as an e-book to earn some dough on their own, notably since you might well have done it in the event you considered necessary. The points as well acted to become fantastic way to be aware that someone else have a similar passion the same as my personal own to find out more and more in regard to this condition. I know there are millions of more pleasurable moments up front for individuals who read your site.

  17. Wonderful work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the net. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my website . Thanks =)

  18. But a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw great style. “Individuals may form communities, but it is institutions alone that can create a nation.” by Benjamin Disraeli.

  19. You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the paintings you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe. All the time go after your heart. “The point of quotations is that one can use another’s words to be insulting.” by Amanda Cross.

  20. There are some fascinating time limits on this article however I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There is some validity however I’ll take hold opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like extra! Added to FeedBurner as nicely

  21. I am really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days..

  22. naturally like your web-site but you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very bothersome to tell the reality on the other hand I¦ll definitely come back again.

  23. I like this website so much, saved to bookmarks. “Respect for the fragility and importance of an individual life is still the mark of an educated man.” by Norman Cousins.

  24. wonderful points altogether, you simply received a brand new reader. What could you suggest in regards to your post that you just made a few days in the past? Any positive?

  25. I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again

  26. I enjoy you because of every one of your efforts on this web page. Gloria takes pleasure in working on investigations and it is easy to understand why. Almost all learn all regarding the powerful way you provide powerful techniques on your website and invigorate participation from other individuals about this concept plus our daughter is without question starting to learn a lot of things. Take advantage of the remaining portion of the new year. You are performing a powerful job.

  27. I simply wished to thank you so much again. I do not know what I might have made to happen without the information revealed by you relating to such theme. It had become a distressing case for me, but being able to view the specialized style you solved it took me to weep with gladness. I will be happy for this information and thus hope that you really know what a powerful job you are always accomplishing instructing some other people via your web site. I am certain you haven’t met any of us.

  28. What i do not realize is in fact how you are not really a lot more neatly-favored than you might be now. You’re so intelligent. You understand thus considerably when it comes to this topic, produced me in my opinion believe it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be involved except it’s one thing to do with Girl gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. All the time deal with it up!

  29. Nice weblog here! Additionally your site lots up fast! What host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink in your host? I desire my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  30. whoah this weblog is wonderful i really like studying your posts. Keep up the good paintings! You understand, many people are looking round for this information, you can help them greatly.

  31. Good – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, website theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task..

  32. Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. However imagine if you added some great visuals or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this website could undeniably be one of the best in its niche. Good blog!

  33. Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you?¦ve on this web site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What an ideal website.

  34. What is Lottery Defeater Software? Lottery Defeater Software is a plug-and-play Lottery Winning Software that is fully automated. Kenneth created the Lottery Defeater software. Every time someone plays the lottery, it increases their odds of winning by around 98.

  35. I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my site 🙂

  36. Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you’ve on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched all over the place and simply could not come across. What a great site.

  37. Thank you a lot for giving everyone remarkably wonderful chance to read from this site. It is usually very sweet plus stuffed with fun for me and my office mates to search the blog minimum 3 times a week to study the newest issues you will have. And definitely, I’m also usually astounded considering the beautiful creative concepts you serve. Some 4 facts in this post are rather the most effective I have ever had.

  38. F*ckin’ tremendous issues here. I am very satisfied to peer your post. Thanks a lot and i am taking a look ahead to touch you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?

  39. Thank you, I have just been looking for information about this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve found out till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you certain in regards to the source?

  40. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually know what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Please also visit my website =). We could have a link exchange contract between us!

  41. Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any points or suggestions? Appreciate it

  42. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you actually recognize what you’re talking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally seek advice from my website =). We could have a link change contract between us!

  43. Only wanna remark on few general things, The website style is perfect, the content is real fantastic. “War is much too serious a matter to be entrusted to the military.” by Georges Clemenceau.

  44. Whats Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads. I’m hoping to give a contribution & assist other users like its aided me. Good job.

  45. Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely magnificent. I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful web site.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *