Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has expressed concern over the drama that ensued on Wednesday involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of its attempt to invite former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in Abuja.
In a statement released on Thursday Fagbemi said the EFCC has been given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status.
He urged anyone invited to put aside any obstruction in the way of the EFCC and answer their invitation.
Fagbemi said a situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting, noting that a flight from the law does not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbates such issues.
The Attorney General said he stands for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is an indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies, but insists that state institutions should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently.
He insists Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law and urged anyone invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on self-help and escapism that can only put the country in bad light before the rest of the world.
Editor Oloyede Oworu
