Your Member Tampered With Suspect's Statement, EFCC Tells NBA In Ilorin

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, describe the media attacks on its Ilorin Zonal Command by the Ilorin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, calling for the transfer of the Zonal Commander of the EFCC, as scandalous.

Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement on Friday, said the Commission was scandalized that the NBA Ilorin Branch chose a moment when one of its members, one Suleiman Toyin Yahaya, was detained by the Ilorin Command for allegedly tampering with the statement of a suspect under investigation, to launch a media attack against the Command and its leadership.

He said the press statement jointly signed by Aishat Omotayo Temim and Ridwan Musa, acting Chairperson and Publicity Secretary,  respectively of the Ilorin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, drawing attention to what they termed as non- adherence to Rule of Law by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, and calling for the transfer of the Zonal Commander, smacks of blackmail and disguised attempt to intimidate the Ilorin Command of the Commission into unconscionable docility.

According Uwujaren, it is shocking that the Ilorin Branch of the NBA, was silent on the alleged criminal act of its member who was being detained with a valid remand order, and had since been released in obedience to a counter order of court betrayed the branch of the NBA that prides itself as apostle of rule of law and ethical conduct,

The statement reads in full:

"The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is drawn to a press statement jointly signed by Aishat Omotayo Temim and Ridwan Musa, acting Chairperson and Publicity Secretary respectively of the Ilorin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, drawing attention to what they termed as non- adherence to Rule of Law by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, and calling for the transfer of the Zonal Commander.

"Without prejudice to the right of members of the Bar, and indeed any Nigerian, to ventilate a grievance, the Commission is scandalized that the NBA Ilorin Branch chose a moment when one of its members, Suleiman Toyin Yahaya, was being detained by the Ilorin Command for allegedly tampering with the statement of a suspect under investigation, to launch a media attack against the Command and its leadership.

"This, to all intent and purposes, smacks of blackmail and disguised attempt to intimidate the Ilorin Command of the Commission into unconscionable docility.

"As a branch of the NBA that prides itself as apostle of rule of law and ethical conduct, it is shocking that the Ilorin Branch of the NBA was silent on the alleged criminal act of its member who was being detained with a valid remand order, and has since been released in obedience to a counter order of court.

"It is also worrisome that the NBA finds it convenient to shift the blame for the alleged unprofessional conduct of its members in matters of legal representation for crime suspects, to personnel of the EFCC. Legal representation of suspects is not within the remit of the EFCC.

"While the Commission is willing to investigate any allegation of unprofessional conduct by any of its personnel, those making such claims must provide proof.

"It must, however, be emphasized  that the Commission, as a creation of law, conducts its activities within the ambit of law and no law has been violated so far by the EFCC in its operations in Ilorin."