Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC) has refuted claims that it has files implicating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or his close aides at its offices.
Tinubu was arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal in September 2011 for allegedly operating foreign bank accounts, contrary to the constitution.
Recently, an unverified report emerged on the media space that the Department of State Services (DSS) is removing all incriminating files from the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and ICPC relating to Tinubu and his close aides and associates.
However, in a statement on Saturday, July 8, ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, described the report as fake.
She said the attention of the commission was drawn to a spurious news report by an online medium, titled “Secret Police, DSS Carts Away Files Implicating President Tinubu, Close Aides from ICPC, CCB”
“The commission hereby states unequivocally that there were no files implicating President Bola Tinubu or his close aides at its headquarters or offices across the states.
“And, therefore, the alleged carting away of such imaginary files is unfounded and should be disregarded by the public,” Ms Ogugua stated.
According to statement titled: A Rebuttal on Saharareporters’ news report titled “Secret Police, DSS Carts Away Files Implicating President Tinubu, Close Aides from ICPC, CCB”
“The attention of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been drawn to a spurious news report by online medium, Saharareporters titled “Secret Police, DSS Carts Away Files Implicating President Buhari, Close Aides from ICPC, CCB”.
“The Commission hereby refute the report by Saharareporters and state unequivocally that there were no files implicating President Tinubu or close aides at its headquarters or offices across the states and therefore the alleged carting away of such imaginary files is unfounded and should be disregarded by the public.
“While the Commission does not dispute the role of the media to inform the public, it is however deeply disturbed by irresponsible practice and non-adherence to the tenets of the journalism profession by some media outlets.
“For the umpteenth time, the Commission wishes to urge media organisations not to allow the use of their medium to propagate lies and unfounded reports by subversive agents. The Commission’s channels of communications remain open for clarification and confirmation.”