The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and
Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has stated that it would investigate
the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole,
if it receives a petition against him.
The anti-graft agency said it has a laid down procedure for
handling allegations of corruption, part of which is that there must be a
formal petition duly signed and submitted to it.
Addressing a group of protesters who besieged the ICPC
headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, the spokesperson of the commission, Rasheedat
Okoduwa, said the commission would check its records to see if there was any
petition submitted against Oshiomhole by yesterday as claimed by the protesting
group.
She noted that if the group's claim about the petition is
found to be true, it would be treated the same manner it handled others.
"I have heard you, and we thank people for the peaceful
protest here. You have done what you are supposed to do. I want to assure you
that your petition will be treated according to its merit and the same manner
we treat others," she stated.
Protesters, numbering hundreds yesterday stormed the ICPC
headquarters to demand the immediate prosecution of Oshiomhole.
The protesters under the auspices of Coalition for New
Nigeria (CNN) had arrived the ICPC office with posters bearing various
inscriptions like 'Oshiomhole is corrupt', 'Oshiomhole must go', 'with
Oshiomhole, APC will fail', 'ICPC must probe Oshiomhole', 'Buhari, remove
Oshiomhole now before it is too late' among others.
The Convener of the group, Stanley Ohu, pleaded with the
anti-corruption agency to expedite action in the prosecution of the ruling
party boss.
"We demand that Oshiomhole should resign owing
to the plethora of allegations against him leading to even the DSS inviting him
and demanding his resignation," he said.
Speaking further, the convened said: "We are determined
in our quest to arrest the danger faced by our party occasioned by the
integrity-challenged Oshiomhole.
"For the avoidance of doubt, we are well aware
that Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court ordered the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to commence criminal proceedings against
Oshiomole for allegedly diverting state funds into personal use.
"Therefore, it is expedient that a man that
has corruption noose round his neck is not the fit and proper person to lead a
party that has President Muhammadu Buhari, a man known globally for his
anti-corruption stance, to remain in office.”
Ohu said Oshiomhole should tread the path of honour
and step down before APC goes into ignominy in 2019.
"As you are all aware, our party, the APC, is
in serious crisis following the most reprehensible, divisive and widely
condemned primaries held across the states. The APC which was gaining grounds
and welcoming new members is far from the all-embracing party it was when
Oshiomhole took over as national chairman.
"Given the various allegations of corruption by
respected chieftains and members of the APC, we are here calling on the various
anti-corruption agencies to begin a comprehensive probe of not only these allegations,
but his time as the governor of Edo State.
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