Court Upholds ICPC’s Authority, Orders Probe into Alleged N350m Contract Deal

Court Upholds ICPC’s Authority, Orders Probe into Alleged N350m Contract Deal

A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a suit by Mr. Paul Afagase Johnson seeking to block the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) from investigating him over an alleged N350 million contract dispute.

In the suit, Johnson asked the court for a perpetual injunction to prevent the Commission from probing what he described as a purely civil and contractual disagreement involving himself, Chief Richard Okozi, and Rokozi Investment Limited.

He also sought N500 million in damages, claiming that ICPC’s actions amounted to intimidation, threats of arrest, and violations of his fundamental human rights.

Johnson had argued that both the Nigeria Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously invited and cleared him regarding the matter, asserting that ICPC could not act as a debt recovery agency.

However, Justice J.K. Omotosho dismissed these claims, ruling that the ICPC acted within its statutory mandate.

The court emphasized that the Commission is empowered to investigate petitions involving allegations of corruption, especially where government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) may be implicated.

The judge noted that courts are generally reluctant to restrain law enforcement agencies from probing potential criminal conduct and stressed that judicial intervention should not serve as a shield for individuals seeking to evade lawful investigations.

“The proper course for the plaintiff would be to honour the invitation of the Commission to enable it to carry out its investigation,” Justice Omotosho stated.

The dispute arose from a petition alleging that N350 million was paid to secure a contract for the benefit of certain public institutions.

When the contract reportedly failed to materialize, the contractor lodged a complaint with the Department of State Services (DSS), which subsequently referred the matter to the ICPC for investigation.

The court held that Johnson had failed to provide evidence supporting his claim that previous investigations by the police and EFCC had cleared him. The ICPC therefore retains the authority to continue its probe into the alleged contract irregularities.