By George Ozalla
A Bauchi State High Court has dismissed an application seeking to restrain the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) from investigating financial activities related to security votes in the Office of the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government.
The application was filed by a group called “Concerned Indigenes of Bauchi State,” who alleged that the ICPC, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) had failed to act on complaints about financial infractions in the Office of the Secretary. However, the ICPC and EFCC argued that the applicants were attempting to subvert their statutory mandate.
In his judgment, Honourable Justice F.U. Sarki ruled that the power to investigate and prosecute financial crimes is not exclusive to the ICPC, EFCC, and NFIU. The police also have the authority to investigate and prosecute such cases. The judge held that the court cannot restrain the ICPC, EFCC, and NFIU from carrying out their statutory functions. As a result, the application for an order of perpetual injunction was refused.
This ruling allows the ICPC to continue its investigation into the financial activities of the Office of the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, including the use of security votes.
