Date Published: 10/28/09

Will pursue Bode George up to the Supreme Court –Keyamo

Following the decision by Bode George to file an appeal against his conviction, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor,  Mr. Festus Keyamo, has said that he will pursue the case up to the Supreme Court.

Keyamo told P.M.NEWS in an interview yesterday that Bode George and his co-convicts are entitled to appeal, even up to the Supreme Court, but that he will equally follow them to ensure that the judgment subsists, adding that the judgment was well considered and cannot possibly be faulted by a superior court.

“I will not relent in pursuing this case even up to the Supreme Court,” he said.

On whether Bode George is entitled to bail and what the position of the EFCC will be, he said: “It is perfectly within their rights to bring any application before the court and to apply for anything before or after judgment.  Whenever any application comes, I will look at it, I will look at the law books, I will consult my clients and  I will react accordingly.  You cannot say in advance what you will do about an application that has not been filed in court.  Each application must be considered by its merit and facts supporting it.”

He further said, “when an appeal is filed, I will look at the records as to what transpired at the court and react accordingly.  I will be patient until I see any such appeal.”

Commenting on the judgment, Keyamo said it was a watershed in the fight against corruption in the country, adding that “this judgment is the first full trial by the EFCC of public officers accused of corruption.  There was no plea bargain or any arrangement of any sort.  It went the whole hog and it was conducted diligently without handcuffing anybody.

“The accused persons were accorded their full rights.  It therefore means we can achieve a lot in the fight against corruption by playing the game according to the books.  The judgment sounded a strong message across the country, to public office holder and the people.”

He warned that this is just the beginning of the end for all corrupt officers in the country.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, expressed her appreciation to the Legal Department of the EFCC, lawyers in Keyamo’s chambers and the general public for their unflinching support while the case lasted.

COURTESY PM NEWS