“When Ibrahim Magu was being haunted, I filed a lawsuit on behalf of the HEDA Resource Centre at the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the attempts to remove him”
Lagos-based rights lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong, Esq. wrote:
I used to defend the EFCC vigorously, and was invited in the past to some of their events in Lagos, including their yearly anti-corruption march.
When a judge of the Akwa Ibom State High Court gave a terrible injunction barring the EFCC, ICPC and others from investigating government officials, past and present, I went all out to ensure that the illegal injunction was vacated.
When Ibrahim Magu was being haunted, I filed a lawsuit on behalf of the HEDA Resource Centre at the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the attempts to remove him.
No one can say that I ever sought any kind of favours from the EFCC. Though I am still supportive of any attempt by the EFCC to fight corruption, I’m no longer an outspoken ‘ally’ of the Commission.
My impression of the Commission has changed in recent years. I will not attack their legitimate efforts, but at the same time I’m not going to pretend that they are on track.
The Commission has a corruption problem, a partisanship problem, a nepotism problem, and a professionalism problem.
Their modus operandi has not inspired public confidence. The way they pamper politicians is at variance with the way they handle other cases.
The EFCC cannot be raiding the homes of innocent people at odd hours, break doors, harass and brutalize the occupants, and still expect public support. They do not offer apology or compensation when they act unprofessionally.
Also, the war against corruption has taken the backseat.
They need to change their modus operandi if they want public support.
