Date Published: 10/29/10

Criticisms Over Advisory List Baseless -Waziri

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mrs Farida Waziri has described as baseless criticisms over a purported advisory list to political parties saying that those behind the outcry are only out for mischief.

“ I have been vilified for something I do not know anything about. I woke up one morning to see people discussing on TV a list said to be written by EFCC . I am a lawyer of many years standing and I obey the rule of law. What is causing some people sleepless nights is simply a table of our prosecution activities which has been in the public domain for over two years”, Waziri said.

The anti-corruption agency boss made the clarification Friday October 29, 2010 while receiving the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President, Joseph Bodunrin Daudu, SAN at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Waziri reiterated her call for every Nigerian especially public oriented organizations to join the war against economic crimes and corruption saying NBA remains a crucial partner to EFCC in the war. She pointed out that the Commission’s work needs to be supported by all stakeholders as no amount of work by EFCC would be meaningfully appreciated if convictions are not achieved.

According to her, “ It is my view that we should all come to a point where the judiciary should declare speedy trial of all corruption cases if the accused persons are not ready to prove their innocence. This is where I believe your intervention will forever be appreciated by posterity. In other climes, it is the accused persons that approach the court to seek speedy trial of their cases because they want to prove their innocence but the reverse is the case here.

 “As a lawyer, I don’t believe in any other means to fight the course of justice other than the law. That is why I have remained strictly committed to the rule of law in my over two years in office. But we all have a major responsibility to ensure and prove to the ordinary man on the street that the law works, otherwise it will be extremely dangerous for the society if the masses should lose faith and confidence in the law. The challenge is ours and I urge you all to partner with us to forestall this danger.”

While acknowledging government’s commitment to the fight against graft, Waziri expressed sadness that cases involving some high profile persons are taking too long in courts, thereby making a mockery of the nation’s judicial system. In her words, “People do all sorts of things to stall trial and some of the cases have not even started five years after arraignments and yet in some other jurisdictions, people plead that they be taken to court to clear their names over allegations of corruption.

“ I appeal to members of the most noble profession in the world, NBA to come to our rescue in the name of the federal republic of Nigeria.”

She stressed that no amount of blackmail would distract her from the work she has been divinely called to do saying that God has been her staying power despite all the threat and blackmail she and the Commission have been subjected to.

In his remarks, the NBA president, chided the bench for the delay being experienced in the trial of corruption cases stating that many judges who handle corruption cases were not adequately trained to do so. “ I will put the blame for the delay squarely on the doorstep of courts and not on lawyers nor EFCC.

It behooves on the court to have timelines for criminal matters and be organized.”

He said there was no reason why some appeals cannot be heard within seven days as in other climes where cases are dispensed within a stipulated time.

“ Our judges need to operate with the degree of speed that these matters deserve but I see the problem as that of some of them being ill- equipped and again on the entire structure of the judiciary.”

He advocated for an amendment of the EFCC Act which he said needed to have some provisions for plea bargain.

He praised Waziri for her zeal and commitment saying that she should not be deterred as Nigerians are praying for her. The NBA boss was accompanied on the visit by Olumiwa Akinboro,General Secretary, Emeka Obegolu, Publicity Secretary, and Osita Okoro ,Director,administration of the NBA.