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.
