The protest of anti-corruption Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged disobedience of court orders yesterday entered the fifth day, with members marching in the street.
Led by activists and lawyers, the groups said despite the fact that some organisations are trying to defend the EFCC, the Commission should, by its action, ordinarily be at the forefront of promoting the rule of law insteading of behavinf otherwise.
The CSOs, which had on Tuesday petitioned the National Assembly to call to order Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, vowed to continue their agitation untill the government acts.
Director, Activists for Good Governance, Declan Ihehaire, who had been vocal from the first day of the protests, said: “We are rugged, patriotic activists who will not bow to any intimidation. Struggle is not new to us and we cannot be bought by anybody. When we believe in a cause, especially when it is in the interest of the majority of Nigerians and the fight against corruption, we will give it our all.
“Bawa has continued to display disregard for the rule of law, even with the latest outburst of the EFCC in a press conference. He should stop chasing shadows. He is not bigger than the law and no one can intimidate us. When you see Debo Adeniran, Sanchez-Jude, Ayo Ologun and co leading a struggle, you must know that it is a just one. We come out in the sun to press home our demands for you to know how serious this matter is.
“This is technically the 6th day because we rested on Sunday. Many Nigerians supported President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 because they knew his anti-corruption stance. See what has become now – an embarrassment. EFCC has derailed, it is now politicised.”
On his part, President, Coalition of Yoruba Youth Councils, Abe Emmanuel Kolawole, said he had to join the struggle, having studied the mode of operation of the EFCC of late.
Kolawole said: “What we are here again to tell the EFCC Chairman, you have taken so many people to court, you have convicted them; they have obeyed the court order; they have been sentenced to prison. Now, it is your own turn, you were taken to court and subsequently, the judgment went against you.
“Even if you want to appeal the case, you must first obey and then you can appeal. If the court then finds you free, you can go home. We have said it consistently, if you want to come into equity, you must come with clean hands. Bawa’s hands are not clean.”