The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on the National Assembly to enact legislation that supports the whistleblower policy, emphasizing the importance of protecting those who expose corruption and financial crimes.
He made this appeal during the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Lagos, themed “Lawyers in the Spotlight: Essential Anti-Money Laundering Considerations for the Legal Profession.”
Mr. Olukoyede stressed that such a law would ensure mandatory protection for whistleblowers by law enforcement agencies.
The EFCC boss tasked lawyers not to indulge in activities that will encourage people to commit crimes, while tasking them not to protect suspected criminals as it is their duty to bring any person who has committed financial crimes to court.
“Don’t try to protect suspected criminals, people who must have committed financial crimes. So, if you know where, who, or whatever we are looking for, it is your duty to bring that person to the open and we will do our own part.
Speaking on the challenges of delayed prosecutions, Olukoyede stressed that the EFCC will ensure that cases are prosecuted no matter how long it takes, with strict adherence to the law.
He noted that their responsibility and mandate is to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, adding that the job is not only for the body but all law enforcement agencies
“My responsibility and mandate is to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. It’s one of our most priorities,” he stated.
Olukoyede added that the commission is there to make an account of finances whether stolen or not.
“We are saying this in the interest of our practice, if we do the right thing and train our system, all these security bodies won’t harass anyone.
EFCC chairman charged lawyers to perform their civic responsibilities as Nigerians and highlighted the importance of mutual respect between lawyers and the EFCC, calling for dignity in the way legal professionals and law enforcement agents handle their roles.
He committed however to treating with respect and fairness every individuals that interacts with EFCC, whether suspects or legal practitioners.
“We are all Nigerians before becoming lawyers, you have a duty to perform. Being a lawyer does not exempt you from your civic responsibilities, comply and do the right thing.
“Under my watch, everyone that comes to the EFCC will be treated with dignity, regardless of the circumstances,” he said.
He announced plans to develop necessary infrastructures and provide expertise for effective case analysis and examination, while reiterating collaboration between the body, United Nations Hospice, and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The NBA president, Yakubu Maikyau stated that even as they might be required to be involved in the business of their clients, it however does not include doing transactions beyond the threshold allowed under the Money Laundering Act.
He further called for more collaboration with the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies to fight corruption.
In his own opinion, Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Mike Ezekhome advised the EFCC to adopt the western standard of investigation by making proper investigations before embarking on any arrest and publicising it on the media.
