Politicians, lawyers, civil society react to Waziri’s removal

By Uja Emmanuel 

OPINIONS were divided yesterday on the removal of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chair Mrs Farida Waziri.
To some, it was a sound decision. Others dismissed it as a deadly blow to the anti-graft battle.
Rights activist Mr Bamidele Aturu removed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Waziri’s removal was a very good development for the EFCC.

“We had called for her removal in the past. It is true we want to see the development of the EFCC as an institution, but we need people who are interested in waging war vigorously against corruption.

“The Presidency must not look for a replacement that would be interested in occupying the position for the sake of it,but a credible official that would be committed to the tenets establishing the EFCC,’’ he said.

Aturu also said there is need for the National Assembly to amend the constitution to enable people from outside the police head the commission.

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) said it received the news of removal of Mrs Waziri with “disbelief”. 

In a statement by its Executive Chair Debo Adeniran, it said this is because we thought the Federal Government would have learnt some lessons with the public odium it plunged itself when former Chairman of the Commission Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was removed in similar circumstances four years ago.

“The removal of the EFCC Chairman at a time like this and in the circumstances that we are witnessing is to say the least disgraceful, uncalled for, unwarranted and retrogressive. It could only imply that President Jonathan is only paying lip service to the fight against corruption.

“While we are aware that the Federal Government reserves the right to hire or fire its staff and officers, such is expected to be done with high level of moral responsibility and administrative decorum. We may not be aware whether or not the sacked EFCC Chairman is properly put on notice before her removal, it is our belief that simple courtesy demands that Nigerians, being the employers of the Federal Government, itself deserves to be informed and given the opportunity to discuss, if not debate, the issues involved in the appropriateness or otherwise of the action even if it was taken in our collective interest”. 

The statement added: “We are equally aware that the EFCC is investigating or prosecuting many members of the ruling party at the centre, the PDP, as well as many members of the National Assembly and Cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan, even in the judiciary or their godfathers. We are aware that such members do not like the face of Madam Waziri who had decided to look at them eyeballs to eyeballs and shove them down to the course of justice. They have therefore formed a cabal to undermine the effort of all anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, especially the EFCC.”

The CACOL added: “We advise President Jonathan not to allow himself to be wrongly used again after the error he was led to commit by the removal of the former President Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami. He should therefore reverse the decision.”
Chief Maxi Okwu, President, Patriotic Alliance of Nigeria (PAN), an association of opposition political parties, described Waziri’s removal as “a breath of fresh air”.

According to Okwu, the anti-corruption war declined drastically under Mrs Waziri as she did not live up to the expectations of Nigerians.
Director, International Press Centre (IPC), Mr Lanre Arogundade, said that the EFCC needed to be strengthened and its stability ensured.
Arogundade said Waziri’s removal came as a surprise, but the government must assure Nigerians that it is still committed to fighting corruption.

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) urged the Federal Government to look for Mrs Waziri’s replacement from civil society and human rights groups.

The Lagos State Chairman of the CLO, Mr Ehi Omokhuale, said Waziri’s removal was long overdue as civil society groups had long called for her sack.

Senator Joseph Waku said President Jonathan has no political will to tackle corruption because during Mrs Waziri’s tenure, EFCC witnessed high profile trails, including that of former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole and his Deputy Bayero Nafada.
Peoples Democratic Party chieftain Godwin Dabo said the president may have his justifiable reason for the removal of the EFCC boss.

SOURCE: The Nation, 24 November 2011.http://www.thenationonlineng.net