The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) has arrested a Director of Anti-Corruption Awareness Organization of Nigeria, an NGO, in Ibadan over illegal operations.
Mr. Bode Olawoye was arrested for carrying out illegal investigation using the name of the ICPC, according to ICPC’s head of Public Enlightenment, Mr. Mike Sowe, yesterday in Abuja.
Sowe said Anti-Corruption Awareness Organization of Nigeria claims to be an affiliate of the ICPC while carrying out its operations and so far illegally investigated more than 25 cases.
“Mr Olawoye,” according to ICPC, “confessed under interrogation that he had investigated more than 25 cases involving ‘suspects’ allegedly involved in corrupt practices before he was apprehended by operatives of the Commission.”
The commission said “The Anti-Corruption Awareness Organization was a Member of the National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC) of the ICPC but was suspended indefinitely through a letter dated 14th January 2008 followed by a disclaimer Published in the Nigerian Tribune in 2009.”
“Thereafter three members of the organization were arrested and arraigned before the Court in Oyo State for allegedly demanding the sum of N300, 000 from a local government council chairman in the state. Consequently, all privileges enjoyed by members of the Coalition have been withdrawn,” the commission said.
ICPC said Mr Bode Olawoye may be prosecuted by the Commission at the end of the investigation.