The hindrance in the way of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in performing its constitutional duties by invited public office holders is “bizzare”, according to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
According to him, EFCC has the power to invite anyone needed to aid in the course of its investigation.
In a statement credited to the AGF, he urged public officials to abstain from preventing the EFCC from carrying out its statutory duties through their acts.
The statement read, “The bizarre drama confronting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice (Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) as a matter of very grave concern.
“It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status.
“Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation. A situation where public officials who are themselves subject to protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is, to say the least, insufferably disquieting.”
“A flight from the law does not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbates it.
I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is an indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies but I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of state should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently.”
Fagbemi, therefore, advised anyone invited by the EFCC to make themselves available and honour such an invitation.
He said, “Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.
“I, therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on temporising self-help and escapism that can only put our country in a bad light before the rest of the world.”
His statement is sequel to the effort of the EFCC to arrest the former governor of Kogi State, Yayaha Bello, which proved futile on Wednesday despite obtaining an arrest warrant.
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