A coalition of civil society organizations in Nigeria has urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) to investigate allegations of tax clearance certificate forgery and other charges against former Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.
The group noted that in 2014, Shaibu was arraigned before the Edo State High Court under Justice Esther Edigion on a six-count charge for allegedly violating the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
He was the majority leader of the Edo State House of Assembly at the time.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the network of CSOs, led by national coordinator Comrade Victor Kalu and national secretary Alhaji Ali Abatcha, called on the anti-graft agency to ensure a thorough resolution of the matter.
It said that the charges included making false statements to ICPC officers in July 2010, as well as fraudulently obtaining a tax clearance certificate from the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue in November 2006.
The group added that despite the seriousness of the allegations, the case has seen numerous adjournments without a definitive conclusion.
According to the group’s claim, the ICPC counsel, Godson Igbadume, had initially opposed bail for Shaibu, citing his evasion of service, adding that the case has since be stagnated, raising concerns among the civil society groups.
It said: “We demand the ICPC explain to Nigerians how this matter was concluded or revisit it to ensure a lawful resolution.”
The group emphasised that the Edo State High Court and the judiciary as a whole should remain focused and committed to upholding the rule of law and interpreting the laws adequately.
“As law abiding citizens, we shall not take laws in to our hands in this matter but we must make sure that our relevant enabling laws as a democratic nation are upheld, promoted and interpreted accordingly through legitimate means by compelling both the ICPC and the judiciary to do the needful in this matter of forgery involving a lawmaker that understands the implication of violating such laws.”
Kalu said that public commentators have claimed that the reason the case stalled was because of the immunity Shaibu enjoyed as deputy governor.
He stated: “However, with his recent impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly, that shield has been lifted, paving the way for possible prosecution by the ICPC.”
The CSO further expressed its readiness to take legitimate action if the ICPC and the judiciary fail to address the matter swiftly, underscoring the importance of ensuring that no one is above the law in a democratic society.
