ICPC Chair To Lawyers: Halt Frivolous Petitions Against Judges, Agencies
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, advised members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over unnecessary and frivolous petitions against anti-corruption agencies and judges in the course of litigations.
This was just as he urged practicing lawyers to take anti-money laundering issues seriously as contained in the NBA profession guidelines.
Dr Aliyu, who gave the advice on Monday, December 16, 2024, when he received in audience the Chairman and members of National Litigation Committee (NLT) of the NBA, in his office in Abuja, said that unnecessary petitions against officers of the Commission and Judges without concrete justification was not proper.
He said that as professional colleagues and partners in the fight against corruption, the appropriate professional measures should be explored in resolving issues arising between lawyers and anti-corruption officers in the course of investigations and litigations.
The ICPC Chairman noted that frivolous petitions against Judges and officers involved in the fight against corruption do not in any way encourage those who are working so hard to rid Nigeria of corruption.
Aliyu further said; “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”.
The ICPC boss appealed to the NBA not to hesitate to draw the attention of the Commission in whichever area they feel concerned, stressing that the commission remains committed to looking into issues objectively and addressing them decisively.
In the words of Aliyu; “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.
“ICPC encourages mutual, professional respect and understanding in line with the law. I appeal to lawyers to extend the same courtesy to the officers whenever they have anything to do with the Commission,” he enthused.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Vincent Otaokpokpu Esq, said that members of the Committee were at the ICPC to brief the Chairman on the responsibilities of the Committee as contained in their Terms of Reference issued by the NBA.
Otaokpokpu said the Committee was the first to be inaugurated by the current leadership of the NBA with a view to protect the rights of lawyers while doing their jobs.
He said that the ICPC in its fight against corruption will have need to interface with lawyers hence, adding that the committee considered the Commission as a critical partner in ensuring that the rights of legal practitioners are protected.
Otaokpokpu further said; “The Committee seeks to collaborate with the Commission on how to join forces against corruption, while protecting the interest and rights of their members.
“However, the Committee is not unaware of the challenges ICPC might be facing in terms of relating with lawyers of corruption suspects, as some of them may tend to be over zealous in trying to defend their clients,” he said.
He then pledged the committee readiness to assist in educating lawyers on how they can better protect the integrity of the Bar and promote the Rule of Law, adding that the Committee was determined to collaborate with the ICPC even in litigation matters.
