A coalition of civil society organizations in Nigeria has urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to address allegations of tax clearance certificate forgery and other charges against former majority leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Philip Shaibu.

The network of CSOs, led by national coordinator Comrade Victor Kalu and national secretary Alhaji Ali Abatcha, held a press conference in Abuja, calling on the ICPC to end its silence on the issue and ensure a thorough resolution.

The group highlighted that in 2014, Shaibu was arraigned before the Edo State High Court under Justice Esther Edigion on a six-count charge for allegedly violating the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

It said that the charges included making false statements to ICPC officers in July 2010, as well as fraudulently obtaining a tax clearance certificate from the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue in November 2006.

The group added that despite the seriousness of the allegations, the case has seen numerous adjournments without a definitive conclusion.

According to the group’s claim, the ICPC counsel, Godson Igbadume, had initially opposed bail for Shaibu, citing his evasion of service, adding that the case has since be stagnated, raising concerns among the civil society groups.

Kalu said that public commentators have claimed that the reason the case stalled was because of the immunity Shaibu enjoyed as deputy governor.

He stated: “However, with his recent impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly, that shield has been lifted, paving the way for possible prosecution by the ICPC.”

The CSO further expressed its readiness to take legitimate action if the ICPC and the judiciary fail to address the matter swiftly, underscoring the importance of ensuring that no one is above the law in a democratic society. (The Nation)

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