The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Kwara State chapter, has pledged to support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) fight against corruption.
This development is coming less than four days after the NBA and EFCC engaged in a public spat following the detention of a member of the former.
The NBA had, in a press statement jointly signed by Aishat Omotayo Temim and Ridwan Musa, Acting Chairman and Publicity Secretary, respectively, demanded the transfer of the head of the commission, Michael Nzekwe and boycott of the EFCC’s activities.
The NBA said the EFCC boss “Lacks respect for the rule of law and violates citizens’ rights at will”.
But the EFCC, in a counter press release, expressed shock over the action of the NBA.
It described the statement by the Ilorin bar as a “Disguised attempt to intimidate the Ilorin command of the EFCC into unconscionable docility”.
However, during the ‘truce’ meeting on Monday, the NBA chairman, Kamaldeen Gambari, pledged to support the anti-graft corruption fight.
READ ALSO: N1.35bn Fraud: EFCC Urges Supreme Court To Quash Discharge Of Sule Lamido, Others
Responding, the head of EFCC Ilorin Zonal Command, Michael Nzekwe, expressed delight over the visit and further solicited the support of the lawyers.
He urged them to always verify claims made by their clients against the EFCC.
He said: “The commission has zero tolerance for corruption as it is prepared to investigate any allegation of unprofessional conduct brought with proof against any of its personnel.
“We are not targeting any person or particular group of people, nor shall we condone any act of professional misconduct from any of our personnel. Indeed, we are protecting the country’s future. Kwara is undergoing some changes with respect to tackling the rising tide of cybercrime as well as check the activities of illegal mining operators in the state.”