By:Bayo Obalende
Former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in Abia State, Dr. Phillips Nto has given the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), one month to apologise to him for malicious prosecution and for referring to those found guilty in a fraud case as his ” associates “
He noted that two years after an Umuahia High Court acquitted and discharged him of a fraud case in suit No HU/2c/2017, and convicted two others, ICPC has maliciously continued to refer to those found guilty as his associates.
In a letter by his counsel, K.I.Oleh Esq to ICPC, Dr Nto averred that the apology he demanded from the agency for wrongful prosecution was yet to be tendered to him
He accordingly gave ICPC one month within which to tender the apology and expunge his name from their Google and corruption database and website where those convicted were referred to his associates.
The letter regretted that from the investigation stage to the arraignment of Dr. Nto in court, it was obvious that ICPC did not have any sufficient evidence to prosecute but chose to go on for malicious reasons.
“It was not a surprise when the presiding Judge acquitted and discharged our client and found as a fact that the 2nd and 3rd defendants in that charge were not his “‘Associates”. Indeed, our client was in no manner involved in the refund of the sum of #550 million to the Abia State Government, the letter dated Monday, February 24,2025 read.
According to the letter “Still in your Commission’s malice against our client, your entry in Google over the case is that though Dr Nto was set free, “his” Associates were asked to make some refunds; this is contrary to the judgment of the court.
“It is our respectful view that your prosecution of our client was malicious as it was a charge that should have not been preferred against him. It just had no chance at success. In view of the forgoing, therefore, do consider this letter a PRE-ACTION NOTICE that our client will sue your Commission after ONE MONTYH/30 DAYS from the date we courier this letter to you.
“We shall claim as follows:
1. The sum of #500 million for the malicious prosecution of Dr Philips Nto in charge No: HU/2c/2017- FRN vs DR PHILIPS NTO & 2 ORS
2. The sum of #500 million as damages for the libel in the Google entry “Dr Philips Nto” showing the information supplied by your Commission is that his associates were asked to refund some money as a result of charge No. HU/2c/2017.”
An Umuahia High Court presided over by Justice Thompson Adiele on February 15, 2022, discharged and acquitted Dr Philips Nto on the corruption charge brought against him by the ICPC.
