Group tackles Campaign for Democracy for accusing FG of meddling in suit against EFCC legality

The Vanguard for Credible Representation (VCR), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has criticised the Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN) for accusing the federal government of interference in the suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Earlier this month, attorneys-general of 16 states of the federation filed a suit challenging the constitutionality of the law establishing the EFCC.

The states argued that in enacting the law in 2004, the national assembly failed to adhere to section 12 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which governs the incorporation of international treaties into domestic law.

They noted that the EFCC Act cannot be applied to states that did not give their consent to its creation.

The supreme court fixed October 22 to hear the suit filed by the 16 states.

However, in a statement on Monday,  Onche Ugbabe, the head of mission at VCR, said Ifeanyi Odili of CD and Dapo Oluwole of TAN, alleged that the federal government was interfering with the hearing of the suit.

Ugbabe said the group was saddened that some supposed civil society organisations could make such a wild allegation without any proof.

“It is baffling, saddening and indeed worrisome that an organisation that was co-founded by the late patriot, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti could join forces with those seeking to frustrate and emasculate the anti-corruption fight of the present administration,” the statement reads.

“Indeed, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti would be turning in his grave to see what has become of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) today.

“All their sophistry did not do much in hiding the real import of their ill-thought press statement.

“If CD and TAN were really civil society organisations worth the appellation, how come they never spoke against the antics of the Kogi state government and its officials; both serving and past, in frustrating the anti-graft war? Why have they suddenly woken up from their slumber only to weigh in on the side of those seeking to literally kill the EFCC?

“The only reason that they gave as the premise for the wild claim about the alleged interference and pressure was that the federal government filed some preliminary objections to the suit.

“How does that amount to pressure or intimidation of any sort? If their sponsors have a good legal team, they should reply on points of law to the preliminary objection and let the Supreme Court decide instead of the resort to cheap blackmail of the Federal Government and the apex court. Or how would a plaintiff think that once he makes a claim, the Defendant should not respond?”

Ugbabe said well-meaning Nigerians should rally round the EFCC and support the government in its efforts to rid the country of corruption.