Anti-Corruption Groups Protest EFCC Chairman's Refusal To Obey Court Orders

A coalition of anti-corruption groups on Monday protested the refusal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, to obey court orders.

Led by the Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption And Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, the coalition expressed dissatisfaction over Bawa's unwillingness to leave office. 

Speaking with the journalist in Ikeja on Monday, Adeniran said it is high time Nigerians embraced justice and stand for equity before the law. 

He gave reasons the groups wouldn't desist from staging further protests until Bawa is shown an exit from his position.

“EFCC’s Gestapo-style regime of disobeying court orders must stop. Nigeria is not a Banana Republic.

"All must resist attempts by institutions of state to ridicule the country and make it seem like a lawless fiefdom.

"The EFCC seems to be allowing itself to be used as an instrument of political witch-hunt, as it targets some individuals more than many others.  

“Some of our organisations have submitted several petitions to the commission, which it has refused to act on even when you sit with them to reason on the merits of those petitions.

"Once there is a political interest, the whole process of investigation and litigation becomes politicised."

"Today's protests it's a preamble compared to what we have in itplan should the EFCC boss fail to be sacked," he stated.

The Executive Director of the Centre Against Injustice And Domestic Violence (CAIDOV), Gbenga Soloki in his address during the protest said all hands were on deck to bring back sanity capable of redeeming the image of the EFCC.

"I want to believe we won't get there until we start scrutinizing leaders vying for sensitive posts in anti-corruption organizations.

"How can we say we want to flush corruption and an individual like Bawa still maintains a leadership post despite countless allegations tabled before him?

"As you can all see we ain't happy with the negative image his attitude has brought to the body and we won't stop protesting until he is been kicked out of office," he vowed.

Other members were seen displaying placards and drumming the removal of the accused boss.