Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) Acting
Chairman Ibrahim Magu Thursday warned judges and lawyers involved
in election petition tribunals against money laundering.
He said they must not allow the influence of money and other
inducements to hamper the process and determine the outcome of
petitions.
Magu, in a statement, noted that many judges wrongly see
Election Tribunals and Appeal Panels as potential gold mines.
He said some of them even desperately lobby to be included as
members.
“Consequently, we want to remind all lawyers, judges, elected
public officials and members of the wider society not to use the
Election Petition Tribunals as conduits for siphoning public funds
because there is a huge price to pay for such.
“The EFCC has the statutory powers to monitor, track,
investigate, arrest and prosecute such and other offences.
“Our Commission shall exercise such powers throughout this
election period and beyond in the interest of building a
corrupt-free democratic society where probity and accountability
are enthroned for good governance.
“The guiding principle of the EFCC on this matter is simple and
straightforward: the right of choice of Nigerian voters is
sacrosanct, and justice is not for sale,” Magu said.
According to Magu, all lawyers and judges at the Tribunals have
a responsibility to dispense justice without inducement, fear or
favour.
He said with the international community watching, Nigerians
have a patriotic duty to act responsibly, and portray a good image
for Nigeria.
“The principal actors at the Tribunals comprising petitioners,
defendants, lawyers and judges have greater roles to play in this
than the rest of us.
“The EFCC wants to strongly state that the rights of Nigerian
voters to freely choose their leaders are sacrosanct and that their
choice should not be thwarted on the altar of corrupt material
inducement by anyone,” Magu said.
Urging Nigerians to come out enmass to vote tomorrow, Magu said
elections are the only way they can collectively build a free,
stable and prosperous democratic society for the benefit of all
citizens.
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