Activist Condemns EFCC Chair For Alleged Threat To Arrest Lawyers
Manfred Ekpe, a foreign-trained lawyer and activist, has criticized the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, for allegedly threatening to arrest Nigerian lawyers. Ekpe described the remarks as “empty impunity” and a unique insult to the legal profession in Nigeria.
The controversy stems from Olukoyede’s statement at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 64th Annual General Conference on August 28, 2024, where he warned that lawyers accepting payments from clients accused of money laundering would be “arrested and prosecuted.”
Ekpe, also the spokesman for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Akwa Ibom State, argued that the EFCC cannot create its own laws. Speaking from the Dubai International Airport on Wednesday, he questioned how corruption proceeds could be determined without a court ruling, emphasizing the presumption of innocence in Nigeria’s legal system.
“How can corruption proceeds be determined without a court pronouncement? The presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of our criminal jurisprudence,” Ekpe said.
He added that until a suspect is proven guilty by a competent court, the money in question cannot be considered “corruption money.” He also noted that lawyers are not required to investigate the source of their clients’ funds before accepting payment, citing established legal precedents.
Ekpe urged EFCC officials to respect the legal profession and avoid making “unguarded utterances” that suggest they are above the law.
