Nigeria's ICPC Faces Civil Society Backlash Over Politically Charged Probes

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) within 30 days. Civil society groups and lawyers argue the probe lacks independence, urging officials linked to the case, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, to step aside. They cite concerns over forged documents, a N1.3 billion budget allocation and the administration’s prior exoneration of officials as evidence of weakened public accountability.

A separate coalition of civil society organisations alleges that the ICPC’s detention of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji is politically motivated to hinder his 2027 Enugu governorship bid. The group claims the certificate‑forgery case is being used as a witch‑hunt, threatens nationwide protests if Nnaji is not released, and calls for an investigation into ICPC Chairman Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu’s conduct.