Bolaji Owasanoye, CHAIRMAN of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has stated that the Commission is not required to release information that is the subject of an investigation.
Owasanoye added that until the investigation is over, the Commission is not allowed to reveal information concerning the name of a petitioner, suspects, or the status of any ongoing investigations.
On Thursday, the Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM) Office, led by its National Coordinator Nnenna Akajimeli, paid a lobbying visit to the Commission’s offices. The ICPC boss revealed this during the visit.
As not all reported cases fall under the scope of the ICPC, Owasanoye stated that when cases are received, they are investigated to determine which ones are to be handled by the Commission.
He claimed that despite efforts to respond to information requests, the ICPC was compelled by law to withhold any details about any case that was still being investigated from anyone.
According to Owasanoye, “Section 64 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 expressly prohibits the Commission from disclosing any information, the identity of informers, and all other circumstances relating to a matter to anyone other than the trial judge or the defense attorney in any civil, criminal, or other proceeding.”
National Coordinator of SERVICOM Akajimeli praised the Commission for creating a SERVICOM unit, adding that she was happy at the progress the unit has made so far.
According to Akajimeli, the purpose of the advocacy trip was to show how services may be enhanced in practice while also enhancing the management’s capacity and the Commission’s ability to deliver public services.
She said that despite the sensitive nature of their duty, law enforcement authorities in Nigeria could provide the public with exceptional service, and she favored a proactive disclosure of what clients might anticipate while visiting the Commission.
She asked the ICPC to keep working with and supporting the SERVICOM team within the Commission since doing so will help to improve service delivery.
