By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a major legal victory after the Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia dismissed suits filed by two former members of the Abia State House of Assembly seeking to stop corruption investigations against them.
The Commission’s Spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey, disclosed in an official statement that the former lawmakers, Hon. Kalu Chikwendu and Hon. Apugo Chukwudi J., had approached the court to restrain the anti-corruption agency from inviting them over a petition relating to their conduct while in office.
The suits, marked FHC/UM/CS/108/2025 and FHC/UM/CS/109/2025, challenged the legality of Section 28 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, arguing that it conflicted with Sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantee personal liberty and fair hearing.
However, in its judgment, the court firmly upheld the powers of the ICPC, ruling that the Commission has the statutory authority to investigate corruption and related offences, and that Section 28 of its enabling law is not inconsistent with the constitutional provisions cited by the plaintiffs.
The court further held that the suits constituted an abuse of judicial process and were aimed at shielding the plaintiffs from lawful investigation.
It consequently refused all the reliefs sought by the former lawmakers, stressing that granting such requests would amount to providing judicial protection against the lawful exercise of the Commission’s mandate.
In a further blow to the plaintiffs, the court declared the suits mala fide and awarded costs of ₦500,000 against each of them.
The judgment has now cleared the way for the ICPC to proceed with its investigation into the activities of the former legislators, reinforcing the Commission’s authority to carry out its anti-corruption mandate without obstruction.
