The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has commended the timely decision of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch an investigation into allegations that some of its officers received N15 million from Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, to dismiss money laundering charges preferred against him by the anti-graft agency.
According to a statement by the President of the NBA, Mr Afam Osigwe, SAN on Wednesday on his X handle, the allegation of bribery to reduce or drop charges is very disturbing and demanded an urgent and thorough investigation to determine whether bribes were paid or are sometimes paid to influence the nature of charges brought against defendants in criminal cases.
This investigation, the NBA President noted, will also test the transparency of the investigative process and the procedures for charging defendants in court.
The investigation by the EFCC, he said, should determine whether or not there was any financial inducement by Bobrisky or anyone on his behalf in exchange for the dropping of money laundering charges against him and that, any person found complicit must face the full weight of the law.
The statement acknowledged that all individuals and institutions accused are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
However, the NBA insist that a swift and thorough investigation be carried out to establish the truth and if any public official is found culpable, appropriate legal actions must be taken to hold them accountable.
The NBA boss therefore demanded that the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) not only respond to the allegation that Bobrisky did not serve his term in a correctional facility but also provide transparent details on the conditions under which Bobrisky served his sentence.
The statement reads, “If it is proven that he was allowed to serve his sentence outside a Correctional Facility, in breach of the law and a court order, the officers and officials responsible must be prosecuted and dismissed from service.
“We also call upon the Attorney General of the Federation, EFCC, and the Office of the National Security Adviser to independently investigate allegations that a convict paid a bribe to be allowed to serve prison time in a private residence instead of in a Correctional Facility, as well as the allegation that a bribe was demanded in exchange for a government pardon.
“The suggestion that convicts can freely serve their time in private residences and potentially procure a pardon by paying a bribe undermines the very foundation of our criminal justice system and erodes public confidence in the system.
“We believe that this investigation will provide the individuals named in these allegations the opportunity to clarify their roles (if any) in this matter. If these allegations are found to be true, it would not only mock our correctional system but also serve as a wake-up call for necessary reforms in our prosecutorial and correctional processes”, it further stated.
The NBA, the statement said, shall appoint eminent members of the legal profession to monitor the situation and ensure that due process is followed.
