Latest News

NBA Chairman urges EFCC to tackle fraud in Local Government finances

The Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Enugu Chapter, Mr Charles Nworah Nwagbara, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to beam its searchlight more on the finances of local government areas across the country, pointing out that the third tier of government has become an avenue for siphoning public funds.

He made this call on Thursday, November 10, 2022 when he led executives of the Chapter on a Courtesy Visit to the Enugu Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE Oshodi Johnson in his office. Nwagbara stated that it is high time EFCC began to checkmate the financial activities of local governments in the overall interests of the nation.

“I used to be a legal adviser of a community in the recent past and I am aware that the way you checkmate the financial activities of local government chairmen have kept those who want to loot public funds in check. I appeal to you to please intensify your actions in this area and also circumvent any court order that says that local government should not be probed by the EFCC , because the funds sent to the local governments are from the federal government. If you relent in your investigation of this sector, monies meant for the local government and the state will be pocketed”, he said.

He commended the EFCC for its roles in sanitising the nation and saving it from the activities of fraudsters.

Responding, Johnson thanked the
Association for visiting and also expressed his readiness to cooperate with it in tackling economic and financial crimes.

“The Nigerian Bar Association is not a visitor to the EFCC, because of the relationship we share. I appreciate all the points you have raised. For the local government funds you raised, we are working clandestinely to ensure that all funds are accounted for”, he said.

He enjoined members of the Association to eschew all corrupt practices and guide their clients aright. “We have had cases where some lawyers misled their clients for their own gains. Please, I urge you to inform your men to be of good conduct. If they are in doubt of the facts of a case, our doors are open. They can come around for clarification instead of working under false information. I urge your lawyers to practice with the fear of God. Remember that for everything we do, we must reap the reward be it good or bad”, he said.

Ben Idah

Recent Posts

Yemi Alade slams Cool FM, Clout Africa over blacklisting, refusal to forgive

Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has criticized prominent media outlets Cool FM and Clout Africa, accusing…

15 mins ago

BREAKING: Relief as Lakurawa terrorists flee Nigeria after military intervention

Senator Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central, has announced that the Nigerian military successfully expelled the…

30 mins ago

BREAKING: Supreme Court nullifies National Lottery Act, grants states exclusive control

The Supreme Court has struck down the National Lottery Act of 2005, ruling that the…

46 mins ago

Latest update on fuel price hike, fuel scarcity for November 22nd, 2024

As Nigerians express their frustrations over the recent fuel price hikes by the Nigerian National…

6 hours ago

Full List of 80,000 delisted companies published by CAC

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has officially removed companies that failed to file their annual…

6 hours ago

Amended NDLEA Act: Senate approves life imprisonment for drug traffickers, rejects death penalty

The Senate on Thursday agreed with the House of Representatives' recommendation to replace the death…

6 hours ago