The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on Thursday, cautioned against obstruction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operations in performing its lawful duty .
Fagbemi, in a statement in Abuja Thursday, expressed disgust over the action of Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State on Wednesday scuttling the arrest of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello,by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja.
According to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, “This is a matter of very grave concern. It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigations into any matter, regardless of status.
“Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC, but to honourably answer their invitation.
“A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting’’.
Fagbemi asserted that running away from the law will not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbate them.
The Minister, therefore, declared: “Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.
“I, therefore, encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism.
“This can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world’’.
The Minister insisted that institutions of state should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently.
“I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC, and indeed any other agency to order when there is an indication of any transgressions of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies’’.