Dozens of lawyers staged a protest at the Supreme Court, denouncing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for what they termed as “harassment and intimidation” of former Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
Organized under the banner of Lawyers of Conscience, the group, led by co-convener S.K. Alewu, voiced concerns over the EFCC’s pursuit of Bello despite a valid court order restraining them from doing so.
Alewu expressed dismay over the breach of Bello’s fundamental rights and criticized the judiciary for allegedly becoming “willing tools” in the hands of those opposing the rule of law.
The lawyers called upon the Nigerian Judicial Council and Chief Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure the EFCC respects court orders to prevent further abuse.
In a statement, the group emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary and condemned the alleged efforts of “desperate politicians and corrupt elements” to undermine it.
The statement read, “It has become pertinent again that we address well-meaning Nigerians on the current attacks on the Judiciary by the very institutions created by law to enforce and guarantee the sanctity of our judicial processes.
“As young lawyers, we envisage a judiciary where justice is not only done but also seen to be manifestly done. It is in our patriotic quest to always pursue ventures that guarantee an independent judiciary that dispenses justice without fear nor favour that we formed this civil society of lawyers.
“We are therefore perturbed that desperate politicians and corrupt elements in our polity are working very assiduously to bring the judiciary that sacrificed its all to guard its jurisdiction jealously under the military regime to public odium and opprobrium.
“It is more worrisome that even the very institutions that are created by law to enforce our laws have become willing tools in the hands of enemies of our rule of law and the judiciary to harangue our judges and bring the justice system to public ridicule,” the statement added.
They cited the ongoing case involving the EFCC and Governor Yahaya Bello as a prime example of such actions, describing the commission’s attempt to arrest Bello despite a valid court order as “sickening.”
The lawyers warned that such incidents could tarnish the reputation of the EFCC, which has been seen by many Nigerians as a crucial institution in combating corruption since the return to democracy in 1999. However, they expressed hope that chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, given his commitment to democracy, would address the situation.
The Lawyers of Conscience disclosed that they had submitted petitions to the Nigerian Judicial Council and Chief Bola Tinubu, urging them to intervene and halt any further abuse or disobedience of court orders by the EFCC.
