Chairman of the Ilorin Branch of the Nigerian Bar
Association, Barrister Sulyman Kosemani has commended the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on its war against corruption in the country
promising to work with it within the ambit to tackle it.
This commendation was made in Ilorin on Tuesday,
November 19, 2024 when the Kosemani led other members of his executives on a
courtesy visit to the Zonal Director, Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC,
Harry Erin, at the Commission’s office in Ilorin.
He said the essence of the visit was to enable the new
heads from both sides to familiarize and strengthen the existing cordial
relationship between the two institutions for better results.
Kosemani acknowledged the roles of the EFCC in
sanitizing the country of corruption, while also noting the roles of lawyers in
ensuring that citizens’ rights were guaranteed. “We are aware of your role in
the society and our responsibility is to promote the rule of law and ensure
that citizens rights are not infringed upon”, he said.
“Your adherence to the provisions of the
Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) when obtaining statements from
suspects is commendable. By following these legal standards, you are not only
protecting the rights of individuals but also enhance the integrity of our
justice system. Your dedication to transparency and fairness in your
investigations reflects positively on the EFCC and reinforces public confidence
in your efforts to combat economic and financial crimes.”
While describing the EFCC as “one of the country's
anti-graft agencies that is working to ensure a better society for all”,
Kosemani said that, “the manner in which the EFCC is dealing with internet
fraudsters particularly the young ones who should be our future leaders of
tomorrow, and who are getting involved in an act of criminality is impressive.
I want to implore the Commission to put the same effort against any public
officers who mismanage public funds.”
Kosemani delightfully appreciated the efforts of the
EFCC under Olukoyede and urged the Commission not to relent in the fight
against corruption and ensure that there is no sacred cow. He also called
for more understanding and robust synergy in resolving issues that may hamper
the cordial relationship between the two institutions.
“Our ultimate goal is not only to combat corruption
but also to foster a collaborative relationship between the legal profession
and the EFCC. Together, we can create a united front that strengthens the
fight against corruption by working in harmony with the Bar. We can ensure that
our collective efforts yield tangible results, reinforcing the trust of the
public in both our institutions”, he said.
Responding, the Zonal Director, Harry Erin thanked his
guests for the visit, adding that the EFCC had always enjoyed a good
relationship with the Bar and would continue to work with it for better
results. According to him, the role of the Bar in making the
anti-corruption war a success cannot be overemphasized. We have a duty to at
least get to a stage, where our common wealth is not flagrantly and arrogantly
pilfered by those who should be held to the highest threshold of
accountability. He reiterated the firm commitment of Olukoyede to leave
no stone unturned in bringing to justice perpetrators of economic and financial
crime, high or low, saying, “It’s not going to be business as
usual”.
Erin also prides EFCC as one of the agencies of
government that has great respect for the rule of law while carrying out its
duties. In the same vein, he enjoined lawyers as practitioners in the temple of
justice and patriotic citizens to ensure that individually and collectively,
they do not constitute themselves into clogs in the wheel of the progress of
the anti-corruption fight by using the instrumentalities of law to frustrate
corruption cases while defending their clients in courts. Erin
promised to look into the issues of concern raised by Kosemani and called
for more collaboration between the EFCC and the Bar.
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