Lawyer slams EFCC for filing frivolous charges against Sylva, others

A legal practitioner, Abang Odok-Ogar has advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to undertake thorough investigation in order to get their facts right before charging alleged corrupt or fraudulent Nigerians, including former governors like Timipre Sylva to court.

Odok-Ogar told NAN in Abuja on Thursday that the corruption cases against some past state governors were still lingering because EFCC filed frivolous charges against them.

He advised the EFCC to avoid rushing to court without obtaining substantial evidence to prove its case against the accused former governors.

“Frivolous charges are filed out of malice, thereby making such cases to suffer delays because they do not have the facts before filling the corruption charges against these former governors.

“What happens is that the EFCC files so many cases which are lacking in facts because they are in a hurry to nail some former governors at all cost.

“But if you have all the facts to the case, the judges will do their jobs to ensure speedy conclusion of the trial,” he said.

In a separate interview, the National Secretary, Labour Party (LP), Mr Kayode Ajulo, called for advocated for an urgent reform of the judiciary, to ensure speedy conclusion of corruption cases involving past state governors.

“Past administrations refused to deploy the political will to ensure quick conclusion of these corruption cases involving former governors.

“We allow political consideration to override the rule of law.”

Ajula recalled that former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Aloma had directed that judges should speed up dispensation of corruption and terrorism- related cases and noted that the judges refused to adhere to her directive.

He, therefore, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to overhaul the entire judiciary.

The LP scribe further urged the new administration to strengthen the anti-corruption agencies to perform their functions effectively, without interference.

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