A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja has dismissed a N20 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) by a project manager with Wiseworld Firm Consult Limited, Mrs. Christiana Dagogo-George.
According to a statement released by the spokesperson for the commission Demola Bakare on Friday, Mrs. Dagogo-George claimed her rights were violated following her arrest and detention by ICPC officials between October 17 and 19, 2022, in connection with contracts awarded to her company by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.
However, the ICPC, in a counter-affidavit, told the court that Mrs. Dagogo-George secured eight training contracts through eight companies allegedly linked to her, each worth over N36.9 million. Investigations revealed the trainings only held in three of the eight approved locations despite full payment.
The Commission stated that after merging sessions into three venues, funds meant for five others were diverted for personal use. ICPC also presented evidence that the applicant violated her bail conditions and failed to honour subsequent invitations.
Delivering judgment, Justice U.P. Kekemeke ruled that Mrs. Dagogo-George failed to prove any violation of her rights. The court held that a lawful arrest and detention for investigation do not breach personal liberty.
“I have also carefully examined the documents attached to the Applicant’s Written Address. They are a mere Surplusage. They carry no legal weight before this Court and are hereby discountenanced. The application fails and is hereby dismissed,” the judge ruled.
The ICPC confirmed that Mrs. Dagogo-George had previously agreed to refund N10 million of the unutilised funds.
