In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Mr. Peter Gimba, in
Abuja yesterday, the TCN said it was concerned about the use of the EFCC
for political purposes by the executive arm in the previous years, an
act it said had undermined the credibility of the commission and
attempts to enshrine transparency in all government business.
“The reasons for the establishment of the EFCC remain genuine and the
case for the commission remains strong. However, the perceived use of
the EFCC by the executive to muzzle or intimidate its real or perceived
opponents into submission is a worrisome development that has diminished
public confidence in the EFCC and raised questions about the
government’s commitment to due process, accountability and transparency.
“TCN therefore calls on Buhari to strengthen the EFCC and insulate it
from political control, especially by those who seek to use the
commission as a weapon of intimidation and blackmail targeted at
political opponents,” the group said.
TCN claimed that the practice of using EFCC for political reasons has led to a litany of unproven cases that some politicians are using to blackmail opponents who are victims of political persecution through the anti-crime agency.
The group argued that the use of pending EFCC cases in hate campaigns
against perceived political opponents further contributed to the erosion
of public confidence in the commission apart from the injury inflicted
on the reputation of the affected individuals.
Continuing, TCN stressed that just as any accused person is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law, EFCC cases should not be taken as prove of wrongdoing on the part of the accused.
Continuing, TCN stressed that just as any accused person is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law, EFCC cases should not be taken as prove of wrongdoing on the part of the accused.
On the leadership of the forthcoming National Assembly, TCN has canvassed for the election of principal officers with a known
commitment to rule of law, due process and transparency so that the
legislative and the executive arms can work in tandem to stamp out
corruption and impunity while instilling transparency in the country.
Stressing that the National Assembly, especially the Senate, has
members-elect with good track records of probity and transparency in
their previous positions, the group maintained that the assembly needs a
leadership that is commitment to transparency and a willingness to open
the legislative arm to greater public scrutiny and participation in
order to enhance public confidence in the National Assembly.
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