The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned invasion of the home of Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Kano Division, Justice Ita Mbaba by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER and personally signed by NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN, the association demanded an apology from the anti-graft agency and punishment for the operatives that carried out the invasion.

According to the statement, “The NBA strongly condemns the intrusion of the residence of His Lordship; it is unwarranted and completely unacceptable. Whilst we do not in any way, oppose and will not stand in the way of the EFCC or any other law enforcement agency in the discharge of its statutory duties, the NBA will lawfully resist any attempt to harass, intimidate or in any way bully our Judges and Justices.

“The timing and manner of the “Property Verification Exercise” leaves much to be desired, to say the least. Such verification could have been done without armed operatives, at a more appropriate time of the day and through a civil process. We are a Country of laws and regulations, and we must show regard for the Rule of Law and due process.

“I therefore call on the EFCC to not only take appropriate disciplinary actions against the concerned officers, but also issue a public apology to His Lordship, the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Kano Division and the entire judiciary. The NBA will monitor the observance of these demands.”

CITY LAWYER had reported that EFCC operatives stormed the residence of the jurist early today, raising concerns about his safety.

To read the full text of the statement, click here.

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