The Commander, Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, ACE II Onwukwe C. Obiora on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, charged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to uphold the ethics and principles of the legal profession while discharging their duties as this is imperative to curbing corruption in the Northeast and Nigeria at large.
He gave the charge while receiving in his office, the Chairmen and executives of the Maiduguri and Biu branches of the NBA.
While commending the association for its work and contributions to the fight against corruption, Obiora stressed the need for lawyers to be alive to their duties and responsibility to society.
He reiterated the stance of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, regarding the incessant ‘‘letters of withdrawal of cases’’ emanating from lawyers to petitioners stating that, once a petition is submitted or a case reported to the anti-graft agency leads to investigation, it becomes a crime against the State and the petitioner becomes a nominal complainant.
He urged lawyers to be rigorous while interviewing their clients to determine whether a matter could be resolved amicably before writing a petition to the EFCC.
In his remarks, the Maiduguri NBA Chairman, Abba Mallam Umate commended the Maiduguri Command of the EFCC for its efforts and commitment towards the fight against corruption in the Northeast. ‘‘The Maiduguri Command of the EFCC is well known for carrying out its official activities in accordance with the law and we will always support the EFCC for a better performance in the fight against corruption’’, he said.
