The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reacted to a press statement issued by the Ilorin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) drawing to the agency’s alleged non-adherence to rule of law in its operations.
In a Thursday statement jointly signed by Aishat Omotayo Temim and Ridwan Musa, acting Chairperson and Publicity Secretary respectively, the Ilorin NBA called on all members of the association to boycott the Ilorin zonal command of the EFCC for any business until the zonal commander of the anti-graft agency is transferred out of Kwara state.
They alleged that the EFCC boss lacked respect for the rule of law, adding that he violates citizens’ rights at will.
In a counter-statement on Friday signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC accused the Ilorin NBA of trying to “blackmail” the agency.
“Without prejudice to the right of members of the Bar, and indeed any Nigerian, to ventilate a grievance, the Commission is scandalized that the NBA Ilorin Branch chose a moment when one of its members, Suleiman Toyin Yahaya, was being detained by the Ilorin Command for allegedly tampering with the statement of a suspect under investigation, to launch a media attack against the Command and its leadership.
“This, to all intent and purposes, smacks of blackmail and disguised attempt to intimidate the Ilorin Command of the Commission into unconscionable docility.
“As a branch of the NBA that prides itself as apostle of rule of law and ethical conduct, it is shocking that the Ilorin Branch of the NBA was silent on the alleged criminal act of its member who was being detained with a valid remand order, and has since been released in obedience to a counter order of court.
“It is also worrisome that the NBA finds it convenient to shift the blame for the alleged unprofessional conduct of its members in matters of legal representation for crime suspects, to personnel of the EFCC. Legal representation of suspects is not within the remit of the EFCC.
“While the Commission is willing to investigate any allegation of unprofessional conduct by any of its personnel, those making such claims must provide proof.
“It must, however, be emphasized that the Commission, as a creation of law, conducts its activities within the ambit of law and no law has been violated so far by the EFCC in its operations in Ilorin,” the EFCC said.