Lai Mohammed and ICPC: Witch-hunt or genuine search for justice?

To the undiscerning, the statement by the Independent and Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday, that former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is to appear in court over the N2.5 billion alleged fraud case involving the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), was just that – a plain statement.
But to those who are more insightful, there is more than meets the eye in that statement. Importantly, that statement, issued by ICPC spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa, was deliberately made ambiguous, thereby leaving it to misinterpretation, and that’s exactly what happened.
”ICPC arraigns Lai Mohammed over N2.5bn NBC fraud” was the headline in an online newspaper, which later retracted the story after realising it had been misled. But by then it was too late. The fake story of the former Minister’s ‘arraignment’ had gone viral.
But one newspaper broke from the pack and did a professional job, reporting – after apparently speaking with the ICPC – that the former Minister is not to be arraigned and that his reported appearance is as a prosecution witness.
The action of ICPC raised many questions: Why couldn’t the Commission have said clearly in its statement that the former Minister will be appearing as a prosecution witness instead of allowing an ambiguity that led to misinterpretation of the statement? What, in any case, was so compelling for the ICPC to issue a statement on the appearance of the former Minister as a prosecution witness in the case? Why didn’t the ICPC statement include the fact that, in court on Thursday, the defendants had filed a motion in which they opposed the plan to have the former Minister testify as a prosecution witness?
To find answers to these questions, an investigation was carried out and findings will definitely beam the searchlight on the real motives of those behind the case.
Because the case is in court, we are unable to provide the full details of our findings.
Suffice it to say, however, that the whole case is a reflection of the high level of sleaze that has enveloped some of the nation’s anti-corruption agencies, and how this has, in turn, led to mudslinging and politicisation of what is ostensibly an anti-corruption battle.
A source revealed that deep within the ICPC are fifth columnists who are working for anti-Administration forces just to paint the government bad and get at their perceived enemy or enemies.
”This case was simply sold to the highest bidders and their front men in the Commission are now doing their own part of the bidding,” the source said.
It was learned that Lai Mohammed, a relentless defender of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration and the conqueror of the long-standing Bukola Saraki-led dynasty in Kwara, is a target, even though he is not among those who have been charged.
Of course, it is now common knowledge that the Commission is prosecuting NBC Director-General, Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, over alleged abuse of office and money laundering, just as it is prosecuting Pinnacle Communications Limited Chairman, Lucky Omoluwa, and Pinnacle Chief Operating Officer, Dipo Onifade.
The former Minister reportedly approved the payment of N2.5 billion to Pinnacle, a major player in the government’s digital switch-over project.
If indeed Lai Mohammed is a target, as claimed by sources, then those behind the attempt to tarnish his image couldn’t have chosen a better time.
Realising that he could be a possible candidate for the second-term cabinet of President Buhari, which is being widely expected, they have stepped up their campaign of calumny against him.
”Without any prejudice to the merits or demerits of the case, which can only be determined by the court, the way the ICPC has gone about this case shows some premeditated intentions. Is Lai Mohammed the only witness for the prosecution? Why does the ICPC have to issue a special statement announcing that he will ”appear in court” over the case?
Why is that being done now? And why was the statement made deliberately ambiguous?” one of the sources, who has a deep knowledge of the case, queried.
”There is no doubt that the former Minister stepped on many toes in the performance of his duties. Because of the Administration’s many powerful enemies, defending it is not a cakewalk, neither is it for the faint-hearted.
Add that to his role in demolishing the ‘Iroko’ in Kwara, and you can see why Lai Mohammed is considered a fair target by those at the receiving end of his actions, and you don’t need to look far before you know who they are,” the source said.
When the reaction of the former Minister was sought, it was learned he has travelled out of the country.