Taiwo Popoola
A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has a corruption problem.
Inibehe stated that he is no longer an outspoken ally of the commission, noting that he used to defend the EFCC vigorously in the past.
In a post on his X handle on Sunday, the human rights lawyer claimed that the war against corruption has taken a backseat and suggested that the EFCC needs to change its modus operandi if it wants public support.
According to him, the commission cannot raid the homes of innocent people at odd hours, break doors, harass and brutalize the occupants, and still expect public support.
“I used to defend the EFCC vigorously and was invited in the past to some of their events in Lagos, including their yearly anti-corruption march.
“When a judge of the Akwa Ibom State High Court gave a terrible injunction barring the EFCC, ICPC, and others from investigating government officials, past and present, I went all out to ensure that the illegal injunction was vacated.
“When Ibrahim Magu was being haunted, I filed a lawsuit on behalf of the HEDA Resource Centre at the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the attempts to remove him.
“No one can say that I ever sought any kind of favour from the EFCC. Though I am still supportive of any attempt by the EFCC to fight corruption, I’m no longer an outspoken ally of the Commission.
“My impression of the commission has changed in recent years. I will not attack their legitimate efforts, but at the same time, I’m not going to pretend that they are on track.
“The Commission has a corruption problem, a partisanship problem, a nepotism problem, and a professionalism problem.
“Their modus operandi has not inspired public confidence. The way they pamper politicians is at variance with the way they handle other cases.
“The EFCC cannot raid the homes of innocent people at odd hours, break doors, harass and brutalize the occupants, and still expect public support. They do not offer apologies or compensation when they act unprofessionally.
“Also, the war against corruption has taken a backseat.
“They need to change their modus operandi if they want public support,” he wrote.
