ICPC quizzes Akume

Lanre Adewole, Abuja - 31.12.2007

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC) has invited Chief George Akume, a former governor of Benue State, now a senator, for questions relating to violation of ICPC Acts 2000.

The ICPC invitation is pursuant to section 28(1) (a) and (b) of the ICPC acts. The letter of invitation to the former governor was sent by the commission through the Clerk of the National Assembly on November 9, 2007 and personally signed by the ICPC Chairman, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola.

Akume’s invitation letter by the ICPC was received by the office of the clerk to the National Assembly on December 3 2007. The senator was one of the state governors mentioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, when he appeared before the Senate in 2006 that would be probed for alleged act of corruption.

The ICPC is inviting him in accordance with the Act establishing it which stated that “an officer of the commission investigating an offence under this Act may (a) order any person to attend before him for the purpose of being examined in relation to any matter which may, in his opinion, assist in the investigation of the offence; (b) order any person to produce before him any book document or any certified copy thereof, or any article which may, in his opinion, assist in the investigation of the offence.”