EFCC Chairman urges newly elevated SANs to uphold integrity, embrace responsibilities
…Calls for commitment to higher values amid increased expectation
By Matthew Denis
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has charged the two newly elevated prosecutors of the Commission, Abba Mohammed and Ekele Iheanacho, to uphold higher values and embrace the diverse responsibilities that come with their recent induction as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).
He stated this while congratulating his Special Adviser and Head, Chairman’s Legal Team, Abba Mohammed and Head, Special Duties 2, Ekele Iheanacho on their elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, while charging them to fully embrace the responsibilities accompanying the lifting.
This is contained in a statement signed by Dele Oyewale on Wednesday while noting that the two lawyers were among the 87 legal practitioners inducted into the highly- coveted rank at the Supreme Court on Monday, September 30, 2024 by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
At a reception organised by the Commission in honour of the two senior lawyers in Abuja, Olukoyede said that their elevation showed how far the EFCC has grown with more than five Senior Advocates of Nigeria passing through it.
He enjoined the counsels to continue to stand for higher values, pointing out that diverse responsibilities would come their way.
“As you grow through the ladder of life, there will be greater responsibilities. People will come to you with all kinds of offers everywhere to induce you, know who you are and what you stand for. You are men of integrity.
“There is no agency of government that can stand us in terms of the work we do. I was at the Supreme Court and I saw the conviction figure of other agencies, it is nothing close to what we have.
“It shows the level of work we are doing here. I am so happy we got two this year. I want us to double it next year. So, I urge all qualified prosecutors to apply, we will give you all the support,” he said.
The Chairman of the Occasion and former Director General, Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okachukwu, charged the celebrants to recognise their elevation as a call to duty to make a difference in the country.
He also tasked them to remain focussed as Nigerians are expecting much from them. EFCC’s Director of Legal and Prosecution, Mr Slyvanus Tahir, SAN, spoke in the same vein urging them to emulate the good deeds of those who came before them, work by the ethics of the profession and serve the nation and the Commission diligently.
Several good will messages were given in honour of the two prosecutors. Some of the messages came from Kabir Latona, Deputy Director of the Commission, members of the Detective Superintendent Course 3, senior members of the Inner bar, classmates from the Law School among others.
Also in attendance at the reception were former Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes, Ginger Onwusibe, royal fathers, EFCC Directors, Heads of Units, family members, friends and well wishers.
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, LPPC, at its164th plenary session, held on Thursday, August 1, 2024 elevated the 87 legal practitioners to the prestigious rank.
