Commission: ‘we are not apologizing…’
By Olawale Lamina
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ,ICPC, has condemned in strongest terms allegations contained in a viral video sponsored by the wife of the former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who claimed she was denied access to deliver food to her husband in custody.
The ICPC, during a press conference held at its headquarters in Abuja on Monday refuted the claims, describing it as false and misleading narrative particularly intended to denigrate the Commission.
Head of Media and spokesperson of the Commission, Mr. John Okor Odey, said against the sustained sentiment which circulated online, the ICPC has always maintained an established standard access control protocols designed to protect the rights, safety and dignity of all persons in custody.
Odey stressed that the established protocols at the Commission’s headquarters are being strictly followed as a routine, to protect all concerned.
The Monday presser was sequel to widespread reactions generated by a video in Hausa-language last Friday, in which a woman who identified herself as the former Kaduna state governor’s wife claimed that she was denied access to the commission’s premises around 7p.m ( beyond the official time allowed) to deliver food to his husband, currently in custody over allegation of graft against.
According to the unnamed wife of Mallam Nasir El Rufai, by denying her access, the ICPC violated a court order granting family access to the defendant and alleged that translated to denying El Rufai food while in detention.
In reaction, the anti-graft body refuted all the allegations in the viral video.
“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that these claims are false and misleading,” Odey said.
The Commission’s spokesperson clarified that ICPC operates a standing access control protocol that allows visitors into its premises between 9 am and 6:30 pm, adding that it has been a long standing rule even before the emergence of the current leadership of the agency.
Keeping the record straight further, Odey revealed that, “The families of all defendants and suspects in ICPC custody, including the family in question, were duly informed of this protocol and have, until this incident, been in compliance.”
He also disclosed that El-Rufai’s wives and a housemaid were allowed access regularly (to deliver his meal) between 10:30 a.m and 5:30 p.m, even on the day the allegation broke out.
According to the Commission’s spokesperson, visits by the defendant’s family members were properly documented in the official visitors’ register and available for objective verification.
While still wondering about the motive behind the viral online content, the ICPC also disclosed that El-Rufai received six separate visits from family members the same day claims of denial rent the air.
The ICPC added that the woman in the viral video equally admitted that she arrived the Commission’s headquarters at about 7 p.m., by implication, 30 minutes after the close of the approved visiting period.
“The woman in the video herself acknowledged that she arrived at 7 p.m., thirty minutes after the close of the official access window,” Odey said.
Odey recalled that the same woman also admitted in the video that she had earlier delivered breakfast and lunch to her husband, thereby giving conflicting accounts of the incident that the former governor and minister was denied food.
The Commission noted that the woman in question had previously exceeded her approved visiting duration on a number of times in the the past.
On the allegation that medical personnel were refused access to El-Rufai, Odey stated that as a matter of due diligence, proper identification and confirmation was carried out from the former governor before supervised access could be granted. He described the protocol as a standard procedure applicable to all detainees regardless of status.
He informed that, as par of the Commission’s fair treatment culture, El-Rufai was granted permission to visit a dentist and an eye doctor of his choice under the supervision of the organization, in addition to in-house medical checks available on demand.
The ICPC condemned the way and manner the viral video was orchestrated, as it was carried out during the controversial visit outside the scheduled visiting time, as it was conducted in the company of media personnel to make wrong statement.
Odey reacted to this stating the position of the ICPC thus: “The Commission wishes to state that it will not be drawn into dramatised narratives designed to circumvent lawful institutional procedures.”
Odey stressed that the Commission, under the leadership of Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), remains committed to the observance of the rule of law to all individuals regardless of their status.
And fielding questions from Journalists after his address, the ICPC spokesperson seized the occasion to respond to other critical areas.
On whether the defendant is being witchunted by his current prosecution, Odey responded that the Commission is apolitical and will continue to look at matters from the the point of law. “ICPC does not have political party,” he said to fend off the possibilities of political dimensions to the ongoing trial.
As to the question about whereabouts of Mallam Nasir El Rufai, the ICPC Head of Media assured: “He is in the custody of ICPC and he is in good health.”
On whether there had been similar cases of denial of access in the past, he said that no complaints of this nature since inception of ICPC.
According to the spokesperson, suspects in the anti-graft body’s temporary custodial facility usually express the shock by the respect accorded them by the organization, based on its believe that whoever is in custody is presumed to be innocent until otherwise proven by the court of law.
Also, on whether there would be consequence for the action described as misleading and falsehood, the Commission’s Head of Media said that will be determined by leadership decision, saying that if the ICPC chairman decides to go to court, that will be pursed.
And, concerning the reported demand of a group under the aegis of El Rufai’s Boys Movement, who demanded the immediate release of the former governor, through a press release recently, Odey assured that anytime the defendant meets his bail conditions, ICPC will release him without delay.
About The Author
