The NBA also supported the call by its President, Abubakar Mahmoud, for the EFCC’s powers to be restricted to investigation alone.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the statement reportedly by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss, Ibrahim Magu, calling lawyers rogues and vultures.
According to the NBA Secretary General, Isiaka Olagunju, “The NBA condemns in the strongest terms the use of abusive and uncivil language of ‘rogues and vultures’ and such strictures by a public authority,” the NBA said in its statement dated August 29th.
“Name calling and use of abusive language is not expected of any public institution. It is unacceptable. The NBA demands unequivocal withdrawal of this statement and an unreserved apology from the EFCC.”
The NBA also supported the call by its President, Abubakar Mahmoud, for the EFCC’s powers to be restricted to investigation alone.
“In the UK only the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) enjoys such combined powers.
“But given the institutional safeguards, both within the SFO and the maturity that characterizes the UK Criminal Justice Institutions, the abuse of such powers will be highly unlikely,” it stated.
Ibrahim Magu had earlier urged legal practitioners to always play by the rule and avoid being used by corrupt elements to pervert justice.
