According to ICPC, its operatives were at the IHS facility located at No. 6 Dar es Salaam Street, Wuse II, Abuja on a lawful and official assignment when a confrontation occurred.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday denied reports, alleging that its operatives invaded the Abuja office of the Amnesty International, describing the claim as “false, misleading, and capable of causing mischief.”
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Okor Odey, the Commission claimed that at no time did its officials enter or attempt to enter the Amnesty International premises, insisting that the incident being circulated online took place at the IHS Regional Office, not Amnesty.
According to ICPC, its operatives were at the IHS facility located at No. 6 Dar es Salaam Street, Wuse II, Abuja on a lawful and official assignment when a confrontation occurred.
The anti-graft agency claimed that its officers had earlier gone to the building to deliver an official correspondence but were blocked, obstructed, and forcibly escorted out by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and other security personnel attached to IHS.
Describing the action as hostile and a breach of lawful authority, the Commission said it was compelled to obtain a search warrant “in accordance with the law” to proceed with its assignment.
“The Commission is a responsible, law-abiding agency and expects full cooperation from individuals and corporate organisations while executing its statutory responsibilities,” the statement said.
ICPC insisted it would not tolerate any form of obstruction, warning that preventing its officers from carrying out their duties constitutes a punishable offence.
In a development, the commission framed as vindication, ICPC disclosed that the Director of Regulatory Affairs at the IHS Regional Office, Mr. Saidu Abdullahi, had submitted a written apology on behalf of the telecommunications infrastructure company.
According to the apology, the incident was “unfortunate and regrettable,” and Abdullahi reportedly assured the Commission that IHS would address lapses on the part of the CSO and security personnel to prevent similar conflicts.
The ICPC urged the public to disregard what it described as a misleading publication, insisting the narrative circulating online does not reflect the facts.
“ICPC remains committed to carrying out its mandate with professionalism, integrity, and respect for the rule of law,” the commission added.
Operatives of ICPC had reportedly stormed the IHS Tower office in Wuse 2, Abuja, on Thursday, threatening to open fire.
Eyewitnesses said the operatives confiscated over 40 mobile phones, laptops, and smartwatches from staff members.
The disruption occurred during a World Human Rights Day presentation being delivered by Amnesty International personnel to commemorate the occasion.
Sources at the scene reported that ICPC officers prevented anyone from leaving or entering the building, holding the Amnesty International staff members “hostage” in the office.
Two staff members from Amnesty International were reportedly still trapped in the building at the time of reporting.
“The ICPC personnel confiscated over 40 mobile phones, laptops and smart watches,” one of the sources said.
“Amnesty International staff members making a presentation to the office workers to commemorate the World Human Rights Day are still held hostage in the office, as ICPC operatives are threatening to shoot anyone who tries to go out or get into the building.”
“They disrupted the Human Rights Day presentation and threatened to shoot anyone who tried to leave the conference room or get in,” an agitated source said.