Coalition wants ICPC to probe Ekiti APC Rep candidate

Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Commission (ICPC) to be resolute and committed to its fight against corruption in the country ,

The group specifically urged the anti graft commission to conduct a thorough investigation and prosecute the All Progressive Congress, (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Ekiti South Federal constituency , Engr. Toyin Okoro Zachaius, over alleged Infractions.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja at the weekend, the group’s national coordinator, Comrade Victor Kalu, who commended the Commission for inviting and interrogating the Ekiti APC Representative candidate alleged that a former senator, Adedayo Adeyeye, has put pressure on the Commission to discontinue the case.

The ICPC had following petitions from the Coalition of Ekiti APC support groups and Ekiti APC Stakholders and other sister Civil Society and Pressure groups invited Engr. Zachaius for questioning.

Engr. Zachaius was alleged to have while serving as SLA to the Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, at the National Assembly which made him a public servant was operating as the MD/ CEO of a private company, Zac- Lawremz Nig. Ltd, contrary to public service rule.

He was also accused of drawing salary and allowance from the National Assembly and being beneficial owner of the said private company as well as lying on oath in his submissions to the ICPC.

The APC Ekiti South Federal constituency candidate was alleged to have used his position as a public servant to solicit and secure contracts for his company

Kalu said, “We demand that ICPC should remain firm , resolute and committed to the anti corruption manthra of the Federal government by thoroughly investigating and prosecuting this matter to its logical conclusion and make its findings Public. It should not allow any Politician, nay sayers or fifth columnist to discredit the good works of the Commission.

“This is a test on the integrity of the anti corruption body. They should resist any pressure from Sen. Adedayo Adeyeye or any other highly placed individual and pursue the case to its logical conclusion.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and call Sen. Adeyeye to order, to desist hom from unauthorized use of his name to intimidate, harras or unlawfully foist any candidate on the people.of Ekiti South Federal constituency 1 as it is being perceived.

“We therefore demand justice, equity and fairness. from the anti corruption Commission saddled with this responsibility ,this matter should not be swept under the carpet or be disregarded as being peddled by a former senator Adeyeye that the candidate os is Mr President’s anointed candidate and cannot be dropped by anybody whether court or otherwise. Sen Adeyeye had allegedly gone to town dropping the name of our president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the one sponsoring Engr. Okoro Zachaius.

“What we are simply saying is that someone who lied on oath , violated the ICPC act and the Public Service rules and drawn salaries on two places simultaneously is not fit to be entrusted with power to occupy a sensitive and high office as a law maker.”

The candidate was yet to react to the allegation as at the time of filling this report.