NIGERIA: ‘In ICPC There Is No Harassment Of Lawyers’ – ICPC Chairman Cautions Lawyers Against Frivolous Petitions Against Commission

By Munyal Manunyi 

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has raised concern over necessary petitions filed by lawyers against the ICPC.

Dr Aliyu raised the issue on Monday, when the Chairman and members of National Litigation Committee (NLT) of the NBA paid him a courtesy visit at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja.

According to Dr Aliyu, the Commission has been protecting the rights of lawyers.

He said: “We at ICPC, we try our best to see that we protect the rights of suspects and their lawyers. Since I came in here as the Chairman, I have not received any complaint of lawyers being harassed by the officers of the Commission.”

The chairman assured lawyers that: “In ICPC, there is no harassment of lawyers. We ensure that the rights of lawyers are protected, so also the rights of our officers in the cause of their duties.”

He therefore cautioned lawyers over frivolous petitions against anti-corruption agencies and Judges in the course of litigations.

He highlighted that: “Writing unnecessary petitions against officers of the Commission and Judges without concrete justification is not proper, as we are all colleagues and partners in the fight against corruption.”

Dr Aliyu also emphasised that appropriate professional measures should be explored in resolving issues arising between lawyers and anti-corruption officers in the course of investigations and litigations.

He also advised the NBA not to hesitate to draw the attention of the Commission whenever there are concerns, as ICPC is committed to looking into such issues objectively and addressing them accordingly.