Posted by By Francis Awowole-Browne, Abuja on
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Related offences Commission disclosed Wednesday that 24 state governors have been investigated and found to be neck deep in corruption.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Related offences Commission disclosed Wednesday that 24 state governors have been investigated and found to be neck deep in corruption.
Chairman of the Commission, Justice Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola, who made the disclosure during his inaugural press briefing in Abuja did not, however, name the affected governors, but hinted that investigation had been launched into the controversial National Rural Electrification Board's project in Enugu.
He also said the provost of the Federal College of Education, Okene, Dr. Onimisi Ekuh Abdulahi as well as four principal officers of Federal Science and College, Jalingo, including the bursar, Edmurukaye Ayo and his assistant, Akinola Jide and Messrs Effiong Ekereuke and Onamajulu Gregory have been arrested and detained for high level corruption and general maladministration.
The commission boss stated that 37 cases of corruption were established against the governors, the files of which, he explained had been forwarded to the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mohammed since last year September for him to contract independent investigators for the cases as demanded by the law since the governors are protected under immunity against direct trial.
Justice Ayoola lamented that the CJN was yet to employ the investigators due to paucity of funds, but he vowed that all the affected governors would face the music as the commission would pursue the cases to a logical conclusion.
He lamented that the commission would have assisted the CJN in hiring independent investigators but for the same reason of inadequate funds, adding, 'however, let me assure you that ICPC won't drop the cases against the governors."
Boasting that the new ICPC was poised to fight Justice Ayoola, who assumed duties last December 6, promised that given the changes and reorganisation of the structures of the commission, corruption would be curbed within the next one year.
Lamenting that corruption has manifested in various way in the national life, he pointed out that the situation is not helped by the people's attitude to glorify corruption by celebrating the corrupt ones in the society by way of giving them titles and referring to them as role models.
Justice Ayoola explained that ICPC had been repositioned to performed beyond the people's expectation, warning that the commission had entered a new phase in the fight against corruption where anyone, no matter how highly placed or status in the land, would kiss the canvass once caught.
In doing this, he stressed that the commission will follow the rule of law to the letter, saying the nation will not be turned to a jungle where anybody would be harassed on a mere suspicion that his look or appearance shows he's fraudulent, adding that the law would be applied in all cases as has been done in the cases involving the governors.
To prosecute the war against corruption successfully, Justice Ayoola said there have been changes that will re-energize and bolster the investigative capability of the commission, one of which is strengthening of the Special Duties Unit of the Investigation Department with deployment of more officers, bringing the total to 18.
Other measure taken for a more effective fight, according to him, include establishment of National Anti-Corruption Coalition, data base for Anti-Corruption Agencies, IT enhancement of ICPC operation, establishment of National Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps and NYSC Anti-Corruption groups.
Already, the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja branch, Justice Ayoola said, has enlisted in the volunteer corps, insisting that there was no hiding place anymore for any corrupt person in the country