LEAVE EFCC ALONE, ANYAOKU, AKINYEMI TELLS NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT

The on-going debate over how much oversight the Nigerian Minister of Justice and Attorney General should exercise on the Economic and Financial crime commission, EFCC quickly shot to the fore of discussions at the Nigeria Meet The World forum held in New York on Monday. Former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and one time External Affairs Minister, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi called on the Nigerian Government not to erode the powers of the EFCC.

Both Anyaoku and Akinyemi agreed that every Nigerian wants the rule of law to compliment democracy in Nigeria; but that the nation’s economic growth would also have to be considered. And for that to happen, the war on corruption and public stealing would have to continue. They therefore would want the federal government to harmonize the activities of the EFCC with its desire to see the rule of law in operation.

According to Chief Anyaoku, “what we are witnessing is a debate on how the activities of the EFCC can be organized in such a way that the previous stories of forceful breaking into peoples home, detaining people without charges would be over.”

Anyaoku said “my own reading of the mood of the nation is that the nation is solidly behind the EFCC and I believe that the challenge the government is facing is how to respect that mood but ensure that it is pursued in the contest of the rule of law.”

He cautioned that “there should be not intention, watch my word, no intention on the part of the government to overthrow the EFCC.”

Professor Akinyemi address the chaotic behavior of some members of the judiciary in Nigeria. he noted that the confusing and often subjective interpretation of the law ridicules the seriousness of the Nigerian government to enthrone the rule of law.

Akinyemi said “I don’t think that the problem is adhering to the rule of law. I think it is the interpretation that has been put to it. For the benefit of our American colleagues here can an American conceive of a situation where a judge would issue an injunction that the FBI should not arrest a man that they are investigating? That is the kind of injunction you get from a Nigerian judge.”

He said that that the June 12 1993 election debacle in Nigeria arose because of such ludicrous pronouncement from the Nigerian bench. “Remember a judge issued an injunction that the election of June 12 should not be held and that is one of the contributing factors that made that election controversial.”

He noted that “we have had a judge issuing a judgment removing a governor from office,” and wondered “should we have obeyed that judge? I think these are issues that need to be addressed.”

The President Mr. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in a key note address sent in through the Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, promised to uphold the principles of rule of law saying “it is imperative for Nigerians to return to the culture of discipline and respect for rules.”

The event was organized by the Thisday Newspaper group, a very good start at showcasing Nigeria for the international community especially at the time when about 200 presidents and head of government are in town for the united Nation’s annual summit.

Although, it was advertised as Nigeria Meet The World, the attendance of foreigners was abysmally low. However, it was well attended by Nigerians in the diaspora.

The event was held at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria, New York.