AGF Tells Bello, "You Are Embarrassing Nigeria Before the International Community"

By Frank Ajufo

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, has said former governor of Kogi states attempts to prevent prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is embarrassing Nigeria in the international community.

The Minister's position was contained in a statement made available to the media in Abuja, which he entitled "EFCC Should not be Obstructed from Perform its Lawful Duty". While describing the situation as a bizarre drama, he said it was a very grave concern to him.

"The Bizzare confronting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) 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."

In the light of the constitutional power the EFCC enjoys, the AGF noted that the least that anyone could do when invited is not to put any obstruction in the way of the Commission but to answer their invitation. He further stressed that a situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will constitute obstruction to EFCC's lawful duty was disquieting.

 "A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law agents, 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 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.

"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 a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world."