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.
Abiola Taiye Oluwabunmi, an ambitious and driven individual, is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin. Her journalistic pursuits are evident in her love for reporting, photography, and content writing. She has gained valuable experience in the world of business as a result of her work with X Culture International Organizations, where she excelled in market strategy and analysis, research, SWOT analysis, and various other business-related tasks.
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