Court Gives ICPC Green Light To Prosecute Two Former Lawmakers

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recorded a major legal win at the Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia State, in two separate cases challenging its authority to investigate corruption-related allegations.

The court dismissed suits filed by two former members of the Abia State House of Assembly, Kalu Chikwendu and Apugo Chukwudi J., who had sought to prevent the Commission from inviting them over a petition tied to their conduct while in office.

The cases, identified as FHC/UM/CS/108/2025 and FHC/UM/CS/109/2025, argued that Section 28 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000—under which the ICPC issued its invitation—conflicted with Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Delivering judgment, the court affirmed that the ICPC has the legal mandate to investigate allegations of corruption and ruled that Section 28 of the Act does not contradict the constitutional provisions cited by the plaintiffs.

The court further held that the applications were an attempt to use judicial processes to avoid lawful investigation. It therefore declined all the reliefs sought, stating that granting them would amount to shielding the plaintiffs from the Commission’s legitimate statutory duties.

Additionally, the court described the suits as having been filed in bad faith and imposed costs of ₦500,000 against each of the former lawmakers.

With the ruling, the ICPC is now cleared to move forward with its investigation into the matter.