No fewer than 500 legal practitioners from across the country gathered at the Supreme Court on Monday to denounce what they perceive as the unlawful tactics employed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in handling allegations against former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. These lawyers, unified under the banner of judicial watchdogs, criticized the siege on the ex-governor’s residence aimed at his arrest, despite an existing court order to the contrary, which had not been revoked.
In addition to their physical presence at the Supreme Court, the lawyers submitted a formal petition to both the National Judicial Council and the President, drawing attention to the situation they deemed unacceptable. Co-Convener of Judicial Watchdogs, Barr Sylvanus K. Alewu, highlighted the violation of Bello’s fundamental rights and expressed concern over the judiciary becoming susceptible to manipulation by those opposed to Nigeria’s rule of law.
The legal community urged the NJC and President Bola Tinubu to intervene and compel the EFCC to adhere to court orders, preventing further disregard for due process. Barr Alewu emphasized the importance of maintaining a judiciary that upholds justice without fear or favor, stressing the need for an independent legal system.
Furthermore, the lawyers voiced their distress over the efforts of certain politicians and corrupt elements within the system to tarnish the judiciary’s reputation. They condemned the EFCC’s actions in the ongoing case involving Gov. Yahaya, citing the agency’s defiance of a valid court order as particularly egregious.
The lawyers expressed concern that such incidents could undermine the credibility and achievements of the EFCC, a body established to combat corruption in Nigeria. They sought solace in the leadership of President Tinubu, who has endured political persecution himself, and called upon him and the NJC to rein in the EFCC and uphold the integrity of the judiciary.