By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dismissed reports claiming its operatives invaded or held staff of Amnesty International hostage in Abuja. The Commission described the publication, circulated by a section of the media on Thursday, as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary tension.
In a statement issued by the ICPC spokesperson, J. Okor Odey, the anti-corruption agency clarified that its officers were never at the Amnesty International office. Instead, they were at the IHS Regional Office on Dar es Salaam Street, Wuse II, Abuja, to carry out a lawful assignment.
According to the Commission, its operatives had earlier visited the IHS facility to deliver an official correspondence but were obstructed by the company’s Chief Security Officer and other security personnel. The officers were allegedly forced out of the building, prompting the ICPC to obtain a court-issued search warrant in line with the law.
The Commission noted that following the incident, Mr. Saidu Abdullahi, Director of Regulatory Affairs at IHS, submitted a written apology describing the confrontation as “unfortunate and regrettable.” He assured that the lapses exhibited by security personnel would be addressed.
ICPC reiterated that it is a responsible, law-abiding institution, warning that it will not tolerate obstruction when executing its statutory duties.
The Commission urged the public to disregard the misleading report, stressing that it does not reflect the facts.
—Newspot Nigeria
INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES AND OTHER RELATED OFFENCES COMMISSION (ICPC)
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday 11th December, 2025
ICPC OPERATIVES DID NOT HOLD AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL STAFF HOSTAGE AS MALICIOUSLY REPORTED BY A SECTION OF THE MEDIA
The attention of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been drawn to a false and misleading report said to have been released by a section of the media on Thursday, 11th December 2025, capable of causing tension and mischief, alleging that officers of the Commission attacked or invaded the office of Amnesty International in Abuja.
The Commission wishes to state categorically that at no time did its officers enter the office of Amnesty International.
ICPC operatives were at the IHS Regional Office located at No. 6, Dar es Salaam Street, Wuse II, Abuja, on official and lawful assignment, where the face-off was said to have occurred.
Prior to this, ICPC officers had earlier visited the facility to deliver an official correspondence, but were obstructed and prevented by the CSO and other security personnel of IHS from carrying out their lawful duties.
The ICPC Officers were forcefully escorted out of the building. This hostile action necessitated securing a search warrant in accordance with the law, which the ICPC did in the most lawful manner.
The Commission is a responsible, law-abiding agency and expects full cooperation from individuals and corporate organisations while executing its statutory responsibilities.
ICPC will not tolerate any obstruction of its officers and men in the discharge of their lawful duties.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Director, Regulatory Affairs of IHS Regional Office, Mr. Saidu Abdullahi, has already tendered a written apology to the Commission on behalf of IHS Towers and its management. In his statement, he described the incident as unfortunate and regrettable and assured that the lapses on the part of the Chief Security Officer and personnel on duty would be addressed to prevent a recurrence.
The ICPC, therefore, urges the public to disregard the misleading publication in its entirety as it does not reflect the facts.
ICPC remains committed to carrying out its mandate with professionalism, integrity, and respect for the rule of law.
Signed
J. Okor Odey, ANIPR
Spokesperson for the Commission
