ICPC being used to coerce opposition members into APC

By John Ogunsemore

Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has not shown its independence in the handling of the case of former Kaduna governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

Ibe said this in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

He alleged that the commission has shown it is no different from the other government agencies tied to the apron strings of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, these agencies have lent themselves to being used to coerce members of the opposition to join the ruling party.

The ex-VP’s aide said, “The matter of former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has proven beyond measure that the ‘I’ in ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission) represents Illegal or Irresponsible. There’s nothing Independent about the Commission.

“They’re no different from all the other institutions of state that are standing on Tinubu’s mandate.

“The ICPC is nauseatingly pliable and has disgracefully made itself available in coercing members of the opposition into the ruling party!”

Ibe’s assertion followed ongoing drama between the commission and the ex-governor.

El-Rufai has been detained by agencies of state since February 16 when he honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a Tuesday statement, the ICPC which has been holding the ex-governor since February 19 said he remains in lawful custody over allegations of money laundering and abuse of office.

This comes amid increasing calls by El-Rufai’s family and opposition figures for the ICPC to charge him to court if it has a case against him.

The commission’s spokesman, John Okor Odey said on March 5, the Magistrate’s Court extended the initial remand order for El-Rufai by another 14 days.