Federal High Court Strikes Out ICPC Case
Against Senator Prof David Iornem

The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja and presided over by Justice A. R. Mohammed, has struck out the criminal suit filed against Senator Prof David Iornem by the ICPC.

According to a Certified True Copy of the proceedings which Prof David Iornem made available to newsmen, it was the ICPC themselves who applied to the court that they wished to withdraw the charge preferred against Prof David Iornem.

Asked by the Judge why they were making the move, the ICPC, according to information on the CTC of the proceedings, told the court that they had realised that they did not comply with rules.

Prof Iornem has decried the rush to arraign him before a pre-arranged “court press conference” to damage his hard-earned reputation.

He however commended the ICPC for its courage to admit that it made a mistake by not following due process, but warned that organisations like the ICPC, who have been given a lot of powers to do Nigeria good, should not indulge in corrupt practices that lead corrupt officials not to follow due process as it has happened in this case.

Information in the Certified True Copy of the proceedings of Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CR/124/13 showed that the case is between the Federal Government of Nigeria and David Iornem.

When the matter came up, Iornem was represented by Barrister Chris Alashi and Barrister Mike Assoh, while the ICPC was represented by Barrister A. Shogunle, who started the whole drama.

Shogunle told the court that the ICPC was withdrawing the charges against Prof. David Iornem, citing non-compliance on the part of the ICPC in the procedure adopted in arraigning David Iornem. Justice A. R. Mohammed asked David Iornem’s Counsel if there was any objection.

“My Lord, we have no objection to the withdrawal of the charge”, said Barrister Chris Alashi.

There being no objection, the trial Judge, Justice A. R. Mohammed said “Charge dated July 8th, 2013 and filed July 9th, 2013 is hereby struck out”.

Meanwhile, Senator Prof David Iornem has reiterated his innocence of any crime and assured his family and associates that they should always hold their heads high as he has not done anything to embarrass them.

Senator Iornem said that “it is extremely unfortunate and disturbing that we are witnessing a drastic erosion of decency and good governance in Nigeria. Tell me, how can an agency as important as ICPC, an agency that should deserve our respect, an agency which so much hope and respect has been placed, decide to embark on a self-destruction mission? How can an agency like the ICPC who should adopt strategies to earn the respect of the citizens it is to serve, decide to embark on prosecuting citizens using a process so patently vitiated by bad faith, insincerity, corruption, malice, bias, vendetta and flagrant disregard for due process and the rule of law”.

The Senator said he was aware that the ICPC are preparing fresh charges against him but assured all that there is nothing to worry about as he is ready to defend himself against unwarranted assault on his integrity at all times.

Ms Gold Zawua
PRESS ASSISTANT TO PROF. DAVID IORNEM