The group called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) not to give any iota of consideration to call for the boycott of cases brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He stressed that it’s unconstitutional and could undermine the anti-graft war and the rights of suspects.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), a non-governmental organisation, on Sunday berated some civil society organisations (CSOs) and individuals calling to boycott Economic and Financial Crimes Commission cases.
The group called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) not to give any iota of consideration to call for the boycott of cases brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He stressed that it’s unconstitutional and could undermine the anti-graft war and the rights of suspects.
This was contained in a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, expressing concern over calls by so-called CSOs to boycott EFCC cases.
HEDA explained that such calls are unconstitutional, against the rule of law and capable of undermining the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
He said, "We call on the National Judicial Council to ignore such ignoble meddling in the affairs of law enforcement agency, capable of throwing the country into chaos.
"HEDA also urged the CSOs to desist from making such spurious calls, which it described as 'precipitating unnecessary unconstitutional acts because of pecuniary interest.'
"The EFCC has been instrumental in the fight against corruption in Nigeria and any attempt to undermine its work will only serve to promote corruption and impunity of public and private persons.”
"The calls by the CSOs to boycott EFCC cases is not in the interest of Nigerians and Nigeria which is tantamount to sabotaging the efforts of the government in its fight against corruption," the statement added.
However, Suraju also called on all stakeholders to work together to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria, adding that it is only by working together that the country can achieve its goals of development and progress.