The
Ag. Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim
Magu has stated his unalloyed commitment to the anti-graft war with a solemn
declaration that he was prepared to make the supreme sacrifice to see that
Nigeria is free from the grips of corruption. “I am not afraid of anything. I
prefer to die fighting corruption if need be,” he declared.
The
EFCC boss who spoke while receiving a group of Lawyers with progressive
inclinations who visited him in Lagos on February 18, commended them for
their solidarity, adding that it was such support that the Commission seek
from every patriotic Nigerians as the battle against corruption enters a delicate
phase with corruption itself fighting back. The EFCC boss expressed regret that
some unpatriotic Nigerians including senior lawyers have joined forces “with
fraudsters and those who looted our commonwealth by becoming coaches and
technical advisers on how to escape justice”.
Magu
admonished lawyers to allow the interest of Nigeria and good conscience to
guide them when accepting briefs.
Earlier
Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, who led the group, said they
were in the Commission to express support for the EFCC and the chairman for
revamping the fight against corruption. He said though lawyers have been
accused of attempting to frustrate the work of the Commission, there were
however good lawyers who are ready to support the EFCC in advancing the fight
against corruption. He urged the Commission should name and shame those who are
frustrating the work rather than generalizing as there were still good lawyers
and judges in the country. “Let us name and shame corrupt judges and lawyers.
The good ones are prepared to work with you, “he said. He warned lawyers who
think they can intimidate the EFCC, that some of them are ready to support and
defend the Commission.
Luke
Aghanenu who also spoke at the event said the Commission should know that
corruption will also fight back and the recent attack by some lawyers was a
clear example. He said as long as the EFCC does it work rightly, people will
always criticize the Commission.
In
his part, Jiti Ogunye said the reason he is part of the solidarity visit, is his
belief in the integrity of the EFCC chairman and his effort to revamp the fight
against corruption. He condemned the activities of some lawyers who are
castigating the EFCC as pure criminality and urged them not to hide under the
cover of lawyer- client confidentiality to become accomplices to mega graft.
He
assured the EFCC chairman that, they will continue to support the EFCC as long
as it remains truthful and faithful to its mandate.
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