CDHR COMMENDS EFCC ON ITS STAND OFF WITH RICKY TARFA (SAN)

Rasheed Raji

The Committee for the Defence of Human Right, CDHR, has maintained its support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the latest arrest and detention of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Ricky Tarfa (SAN). According to the group "that it is not uncertain that the clouds in the sky are laden with hope and Nigerians are now waiting patiently for the actualization of the unprecedented promise of the present administration".

> In the Statement, signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Rasheed Raji Ropo, "if the rot in every sector is to be truly cleaned, then the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, without fear or favour; no matter whose on is gored". The organisation is charging the agencies of government to wake up to their responsibilities and leave no stone unturned in stamping out corruption from the system.

Mr. Tarfa was arrested over the weekend, along with his client-suspect, by EFCC when the senior lawyer was alleged to have hide his client from officers of the commission. He was finally released on Sunday on intervention of President of the Bar Association and other well-meaning Nigerians. In the words of the CDHR, "the unprofessional and unethical action of Mr. Tarfa is Condemnable and reprehensible. Shielding a suspect from legitimate arrest of a suspect goes beyond the brief of any counsel. This is a clear a case of 'obstructing the course of justice' which is an offense under and the law".

The CDHR commended the EFCC for this bold move and salute the exemplary courage of you the commission's Acting Chairman. It further observed that "if corrupt people are dealt with, without minding whose ox is gored, the fight against corruption would be a sincere melee to the satisfaction of Nigerians' great expectations from this government".

"Therefore, nobody should be too big for government to arrest and prosecute even if such person is a stakeholder in this government".