Why we Arrested Ezekwesili’s Media Consultant – ICPC

Obiageli EzekwesiliThe Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has given the reason why it arrested and interrogated the publisher of National Accord, Mr Tom Chiahemen.

The anti-graft agency said it acted based on the advice from its legal team, and not in connection with the probe of the former Minister of Education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, as widely speculated.

The ICPC said its legal advisers felt Mr Chiahemen should be asked to explain some issues relating to some newspaper advertorials which he helped the Ministry of Education to place between 2006 and 2007 with his registered company, Cattigan Communications Limited, which it said raised suspicion.

In a statement issued by ICPC and signed by its Consultant on Media and Public Matters, the agency said Chiahemen, rather than offer useful suggestions on issues put before him, decided to employ the media, especially the social media to release the statements he wrote during interrogation. ICPC said the conduct of Mr Chiahemen was contrary to the laws of the ICPC, stating that the anti-graft commission was never in the habit of publishing details of its interrogations in order to avoid putting suspects or witnesses at a disadvantage before the court.

The commission therefore dissociated itself from the statement published by Mr Chiahemen on the basis of its illegality, stating that the publisher was matured enough to take responsibility for any of his actions with regards to the steps he had taken so far.