The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Ibrahim Mustapha Magu has charged lawyers to always perform their duties with fear of God and be guided by the ethical tenets of their profession.
Magu ‘s charge came on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 through the South East Zonal Head of the Commission, Adamu Hamisu Danmusa when receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Enugu State branch, who paid him a courtesy visit at the EFCC zonal office,Independence Layout, Enugu.
“Professionalism cannot be sacrificed at the alter of self aggrandizement nor to the highest bidder. It is good to be good and for
you to be conscious of the integrity of your profession”, he said.
While thanking the delegation led by the Chairman, Anene Orjinta Esq for visiting the zonal office, Magu said the roles lawyers play as custodians of the law and hope of the common man has bestowed on them
the imperativeness of placing justice and love for country above self.
“How can there be justice, equity and fair hearing on any matter when, for example, you rush to court to charge EFCC for breaching the fundamental rights of your clients when you have not even heard
anything from us on invitation extended to that clients”?
On the issues of spurious petitions, delay in investigations and other sundry concerns, Magu said the problem was unfortunately being encouraged by some lawyers who knowing that a case might not have criminal elements still go ahead to manipulate petitions to look criminal.
He further called on legal practitioners to embrace the idea of alternative dispute resolution to save time and cost and also key into the whistleblowers policy which he said was a great opportunity of not just fighting corruption but earning genuine extra funds.
