Civil Society Coalition Urges ICPC To Resist Pressure Over Alleged Forgery Against APC Candidate

A coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) not to succumb to pressure allegedly being mounted by powerful individuals seeking drop   the   investigations into allegations of forgery involving the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ekiti South Federal Constituency, Engr. Toyin Okoro Zacchaeus.

The coalition made the call on Friday at a press conference in Abuja, where its convener, Victor Kalu, alleged that the APC candidate had been interrogated by the anti-graft agency over allegations bordering on conflict of interest and abuse of public office.

According to Kalu, the allegations arose from Zacchaeus’ activities before he emerged as the APC candidate, particularly during his tenure as Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

He alleged that  Zacchaeus, while serving as a Senior Legislative Aide, failed to resign his position as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of a private company, which allegedly secured contracts from government agencies during the period.

The coalition further alleged that the APC candidate received salaries from the National Assembly while simultaneously managing the private company.

Kalu called on the ICPC to remain resolute in its investigation and prosecution of the matter, stressing that the anti-corruption agency should ensure that anyone found to have violated the law is prosecuted in accordance with due process.

He urged the commission to remain committed to the anti-corruption agenda of President Bola Tinubu and resist any attempt to influence or frustrate its investigation.

“We are not issuing an ultimatum to the ICPC on this matter because we are peace-loving individuals, but we are also appealing to the commission to intensify its efforts in prosecuting the case,” Kalu said.

The coalition maintained that the allegations should be subjected to proper investigation and that any person found culpable should face the full weight of the law, irrespective of status or political affiliation.