SINA FADARE February 14, 2013
The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has called on the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde to review all pending corruption cases since 2006 and intensify effort at prosecuting the accused.
Chairman of the group, Debo Adeniran made this known yesterday in a press statement, saying that it is expedient to put in the dock, all former public holders who were once visitor to the antigraft agency.
He lamented that since the exit of the former EFCC boss, Nuhu Ribadu, none of the former governors who had been previously arraigned have been convicted.
He regretted that poor handling of EFCC cases by lawyers engaged by the commission is a major factor contributing to its setbacks.
His words: “Unending demands for adjournments and amendments of corruption charges by lawyers engaged by EFCC have contributed to the setbacks experienced in prosecuting its cases and suspicions that many of the lawyers hired by EFCC for prosecution of cases may be conniving with the defence teams for elongation of cases, especially those involving highly placed persons for their mutual benefit.”
The group therefore challenge “President Goodluck Jonathan to show serious commitment, zeal and determination in the war against corruption by fully supporting EFCC morally, financially and technically to prosecute accused former governors and other indicted public officials, including serving ministers in his cabinet who have been trailed by various allegations of corruptions.”