Presidency to Investigate Corruption Claims Against 2 New ICPC Board Members

Presidency to Investigate Corruption Claims Against 2 New ICPC Board Members

The presidency on Friday said it would investigate corruption claims against 2 newly appointed members of the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had earlier this week approved the appointment of Professor Bolaji Owasanoye as the new chairman of the anti-graft agency to replace Mr Ekpo Nta who was redeployed to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission as a commissioner.

Osinbajo had similarly appointed Dr Grace Chinda, Okolo Titus M., Obiora Igwedebia, Mrs. Olubukola Balogun, Group Capt. Sam Ewang (retd.), Justice Adamu Bello, Hannatu Mohammed and Abdullahi Maikano Saidu to the board of the Commission.

Others so appointed were Dr. Sa’ad Alanamu, Yahaya Umar Daud, Khamis Ahmed Mailantarki and Maimuna Aliyu while Prof. Musa Usman Abubakar would serve as secretary.

Reports however emerged in the media on Friday that two of the board members were currently being investigated by the ICPC.

Reacting to the reports, Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, said the allegations would be thoroughly investigated.

“These claims would be promptly investigated. The Presidency will surely do only what is right, proper and seen to be so,” Akande said.

The new ICPC chairman, Owasanoye was secretary to the Presidential Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee (PACAC) led by Prof. Itse Sagay.

According to the Punch, Owasanoye has been appointed for a term of 5 years while other members of the ICPC aboard have been appointed to 4-year terms.