Charges against me has nothing to do with my tenure as INEC Chairman- Maurice Iwu

Ajuma Edwina AmehAugust 21, 20192 Mins read1k

A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Maurice Iwu, has noted that none of the charges against him has to do with his tenure as Chairman of INEC.

Prof. Iwu, who is facing N1.23bn fraud charges against him, assured the scientific community in Nigeria, that the charges would not negatively affect the several ongoing work by Bioresources Institute of Nigeria (BION), in contributing to the discovery and development of phytomedicines for tropical and emergent diseases.

The ex INEC Chairman, on Wednesday, pleaded with Nigerians to await the court trial and due process, which would allow him to share his side of the story.

He said: “The journey I have found myself on began brewing on February 23rd, 2019 when I was deprived of my civic duty of voting in the Presidential Election as a result of EFCC ‘investigations’.

“From the seizure of my international passport that February till this recent ordeal with actual charges and detention, God’s goodness has remained manifest as I recite “Te Deum” in Thanksgiving.

“I want to thank Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora for their enormous show of concern, support and the spiritual discipline for not crucifying me before my day in the court of law. My gratitude to Ndi Igbo, umu Imo, Okigwe indigenes; both at home and abroad, clergy from various denominations, especially of the Catholic faith, which I belong to.

“The support were not just in words of encouragement, but more in actions of prayers, for in it all the glory of God was made manifest. For despite the challenges, I bow in honour and humility the Grace God has offered and continues to afford me and my family.

“More than ever before, with what I have passed through within the last months, I embrace the ever reassuring grace and presence of the Holy spirit, which affords my soul to appreciate the professionalism and dignity of many of the staff and persons at the EFCC detention centre, Judiciary and the Ikoyi prisons.

“With a humble spirit, I plead for well meaning Nigerians to await the court trial and due process in this matter, that would allow me to share my side of the story and equally bring to light the testimonies of this journey of immense grace and revelation.

“It is noteworthy, that none of the charges against me has to do with my tenure as Chairman of INEC. And to the scientific community, please be assured that this would not negatively affect the several ongoing work by Bioresources Institute of Nigeria (BION) in contributing to the discovery and development of phytomedicines for tropical and emergent diseases, and the use of our world-class research facility for the standardization of African Medicinal Plants.

“I would like to acknowledge my beloved family, friends and my legal team for their support, hard work, solidarity and prayers.”