The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has filed its defence in a claim by Pinnacle communications accusing the anti-graft body holding back its payments in Zenith bank without a court order.
Pinnacle had sued ICPC to the tune N1billion in damages in July 2018.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, adjourned the case till Thursday, June 27 for application filled by ICPC.
Pinnacle had emerged the successful bidder, out of nine companies in 2014 after a rigorous public tender and full compliance with due process and it was licensed following payment of the stipulated fees to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for Digital Switch Over (DSO).
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Pinnacle Communications Limited and Kawu Moddibo, the current director-general of NBC were arraigned by the ICPC over alleged misapplication of N2.5 billion seed grant released to the agency by the federal government for DSO programme.
Pinnacle Communications Limited and other Nigerians have described the ICPC's move as a distortion of facts.
It would be recalled that the House of Representatives had even undertaken a public hearing on the issues where it was said that Pinnacle has not done anything wrong.
In 2017, the 13-member committee, headed by Hon. Sunday Marshal Katung, in an 18-page report made recommendations that were favourable to Pinnacle.
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organizations has accused the ICPC of incompetence, engaging in media trial and cheap blackmail.
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The groups are Competent Government for Accountability led by Comrade Omoba Micheal, South South Youth Mission and Beyond Boundaries Legacy Leadership Initiative led by Comrade Omaga E. Daniel.
According to the CSOs, the ICPC has been carrying out the act in a bid “to extort money from businessmen.”
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Source: Legit.ng
