EFCC acts like a dog without master, says cleric

The Archbishop of RIYE (Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba) Diocese of Methodist Church Nigeria, Rev. Adegbemi Atanda Adewale, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of flouting the rule of law.

He spoke yesterday in a sermon to mark the 2017/2018 legal year, at a special church service at the St. Peters Cathedral, Ake, Abeokuta.

The cleric said the EFCC “acts like a dog without a master, flouting the rule of law and acting as if it is not a product of law.”

According to him: “The EFCC acts as if it wasn’t a creation of law, it must act within the law that established it, which is the rule of law.”

Adewale stressed that agencies and officials of government must also act within the confines of the laws for a sustainable justice system in the country.

While charging judicial officers to be above board in the dispensation of justice, he urged judges to realise that they are not only responsible to the state, but also to the supreme judge who is higher than them.

He called on the legal professionals to ensure a judiciary that is more responsible to the cries of the litigants as had been before now.

The clergyman also encouraged legal practitioners not to be disturbed by criticisms, stressing that they were needed to move forward.

He said, “We must be just and kind, we must realise that we are serving a supreme judge who shall re-judge, His court and interests are higher than ours.”

Governor Ibikunle Amosun led the state Executive Council to the event, while the Chief Judge, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade, led other judicial officers.