NBA UYO SEEKS EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION WITH EFCC; CALLS FOR BEST PRACTICES IN ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHT
NBA UYO SEEKS EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION WITH EFCC; CALLS FOR BEST PRACTICES IN ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHT
The Nigerian Bar Association, Uyo Branch has sought for professional civility and increased fraternal collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in anti-corruption fight.
This appeal was made on Tuesday, 31st August, 2021 when the Executive Committee of Uyo Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association paid a courtesy visit to the Uyo Zonal Office of the EFCC.
The Chairman of NBA, Uyo Branch - Ememobong Udoh, Esq., who led the Vice Chairman and other members of the team, stated that the visit was to strengthen the existing relationship between the EFCC and the Uyo Bar in the fight against corruption, noting that to contain the ills of corruption and failed leadership, which has taken a toll on every facet of our society, affecting lawyers and law enforcement agencies alike, the EFCC and lawyers have critical roles to play and must see each other not as enemies but professional friends and collaborators.
He identified few bumpy issues which the Bar has encountered in its relationship with the EFCC, including delays in approving petitions; stringent bail conditions; lawyers being denied access to their clients in EFCC custody; discourteous treatment of lawyers by officials of the EFCC; arrest of lawyers in the course of rendering their professional services; procedural lapses, human rights infringement; inaccessibility of the Zonal Head to lawyers, amongst other issues.
He disclosed that in furtherance of the relationship between Uyo Bar and the EFCC, he has set up the Human Rights/Public Interest Committee for the enhancement of relationship, collaboration and regular interface for addressing of any issue between the EFCC and lawyers.
In his words, the Chairman of the Bar said - "It is obvious that anti-graft work all over the world requires perpetual vigilance and most times, backbreaking hard work. We commend you for the role in fighting to rid our society of economic and financial crimes... the Uyo Bar offers a hand of fellowship to the agency in your all important assignment".
He further disclosed that as Chairman, he has cautioned lawyers to be disciplined, respectful and conduct themselves properly, adding that any act of legal irresponsibility, professional uncivility and or misconduct on the part of lawyers should be reported to the Bar for necessary disciplinary action.
Responding, the Uyo Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Mr. Nwanneka Nwokike thanked and appreciated the Executive Committee of Uyo Bar for the timely visit and pledged the commission's readiness to strengthen the EFCC/Bar relationship.
He encouraged lawyers to follow due procedures while carrying out their professional businesses and to strive to verify claims made by their clients against the EFCC before swinging into action. He noted with disappointment that lawyers sometimes assist suspects to procure sureties who cannot secure the availability of their clients, thereby assisting suspects who are on bail to abscond; and noted further that lawyers go the extent of attacking and suing their legal officers in the course of handling cases in court.
The Uyo Zonal boss noted that a vetting committee headed by a Legal Practitioner has been set up to scrutinise all petitions before approvals are given, noting that delays in approving petitions are occasioned by the rigorous and detailed efforts of the committee to vet and determine the merit or otherwise of same. On stringent bail conditions, he clarified that bail conditions are essentially contingent upon the nature of offences, adding that such conditions are usually reviewed depending on the circumstances of the case. He assured that the legal officers of the commission would henceforth be attending the NBA Uyo Branch's monthly meetings in order to be aligned with the programmes and activities of the Bar.
At the end, the Chairman of the Bar signed the visitors' register, while Kingsley Edet, Esq., presented a vote of thanks on behalf of Uyo Bar before a photo session.
Udeme Rivers
_Publicity Secretary_
_#PuttingUyoBarFirst_
