By Gabriel Ali, Abuja.
A civil society organisation, the National Coalition for Protection of Nigeria’s Integrity (NCPNI), has commended the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, over ongoing disciplinary reforms within the Commission, while calling for a deeper probe into allegations of bribery and case compromise involving suspended EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Samuel Chime.
The National Coordinator of the Coalition, Barr. Shehu Dauda, made the call while addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday.
Dauda said the reported suspension of Chime over allegations of receiving financial inducements to compromise cases was a serious development that should not end as an internal disciplinary matter.
According to him, allegations that an EFCC prosecutor collected bribes, sabotaged cases, duplicated charges in different courts, and abused prosecutorial powers must be fully investigated because of their implications for justice, public trust, and the credibility of cases handled by such an officer.
“The allegations against Samuel Chime are too grave to be swept under the carpet. When a prosecutor in an anti-corruption agency is accused of taking financial inducements, compromising cases, and abusing prosecutorial powers, the credibility of every case handled by such an officer becomes a matter of public concern,” Dauda said.
He noted that several online publications had reported that Chime was suspended following petitions from civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, and concerned individuals over alleged misconduct and financial inducement.
Dauda urged the EFCC leadership to review all cases handled or influenced by Chime, especially matters where complaints of intimidation, selective prosecution, harassment, or abuse of process had been raised.
He said such a review was necessary to protect innocent citizens, business owners, and defendants who may have suffered from compromised prosecutorial conduct.
Dauda cited the case of Dr. Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac as one of the matters that should be reviewed if it was handled or influenced by any officer now facing allegations of misconduct.
“The issue is bigger than Samuel Chime as an individual. It is about the integrity of the cases he handled and the people who may have suffered from abuse of power. If a prosecutor is accused of selling justice, then justice demands that his files must be reopened and reviewed,” he said.
The Coalition commended Olukoyede for what it described as bold internal cleansing steps, saying the EFCC Chairman had shown commitment to institutional discipline and accountability.
Dauda, however, stressed that if the allegations against Chime are established, dismissal or suspension would not be enough.
“If the allegations are established, there must be prosecution, case review, institutional correction, and justice for those who may have been affected by his alleged misconduct,” he said.
The Coalition also praised civil society organisations, whistleblowers, and concerned citizens whose petitions reportedly brought attention to the allegations against Chime.
It urged the EFCC to strengthen its internal monitoring system, protect complainants and whistleblowers, and reassure Nigerians that no officer would be allowed to use the name of the Commission to intimidate citizens, compromise cases, or trade justice for personal gain.
