NEWS: UK trained lawyer faults Buhari's anti-graft war

With the continued onslaught on corrupt officers by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Barrister Portia Emilia Anthony, a United Kingdom trained lawyer, has faulted the process in which the anti-corruption campaign is being carried out.

 The special adviser to President Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, earlier disclosed that the president through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), will not spare any individual found culpable of corruption, including former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

President Muhammadu Buhari

According to a top source, the arrest of Azibaola Robert, the managing director of Kakatar engineering and construction company two weeks ago, was a clear indication that the new government wants to do everything do indict Jonathan.

In a swift reaction, Barrister Emilia condemned the arrest, saying it is only a move to dampen the credible image of the former president. “This is nothing but a smear campaign on Azibaola Robert, which is ultimately meant to tarnish the good image of the erstwhile president,” she said.

“It is a form of subterranean arrangement to malign Jonathan’s good sterling character, and all his achievements as a past president, not to forget the fact that, this government because of its ineptitude and incompetence, is on a quest to distract Nigerians, from focusing on what they promised to do, which they have not and which obviously have now dissolved to myriads of failed promises. 

President Muhammadu Buhari and former president Goodluck Jonathan


“It is on the backdrop of this, that Azibaola Roberts has been continuously detained without charge and without bail. This directionless government is only here to harass, intimidate and suppress the goodwill and the legacy the former president left. But the man has carved his name in gold, and history already is being kind to him.”

 Barrister Emilia who is also known as an activist for justice, fairness and equity, said the government of the day is only witch-hunting perceived opposition, but warned that, the government must look inwards as the new cabinet members are the most corrupt.

“How can a government claim to be fighting corruption and yet the most rapacious criminals are the stakeholders in that government? When did a contractor that was given a contract that was duly executed become a criminal, that has to be arrested and detained without charge or bail? This is travesty of justice, and must be condemned by all and sundry, and all well-meaning citizens of this country.” She concluded.

 It was earlier on Thursday, April 7 that another Nigerian in Lagos state, showed his concern regarding Buhari’s government, when he said, “the three problems of high foreign exchange rate, fuel scarcity and epileptic power supply have stagnated the nation’s growth and development.”