THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed concern over allegations that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accepted a N15 million bribe to drop a money laundering case against convicted crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
In a statement issued by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA applauded the EFCC for its prompt decision to investigate the matter and called for an independent inquiry by the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
Describing the allegations as disturbing, the NBA emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to determine whether the bribe was indeed paid and whether such practices occur to influence the charges against defendants in criminal cases.
The legal body stated that the investigation would also assess the transparency of the investigative process and the procedures used for charging defendants in court.
Additionally, the NBA urged the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to address claims that Bobrisky did not serve his sentence in a correctional facility and to provide clear details regarding the conditions under which his sentence was served.
“The NBA acknowledges that all individuals and institutions accused are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty,” the statement read.
“However, we insist that a swift and thorough investigation be carried out to establish the truth. If any public official is found culpable, appropriate legal actions must be taken to hold them accountable. 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. Any person found complicit must face the full weight of the law,” the NBA added.