Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
LAWYERS from Ekpeyoung in Akwa Ibom State as well as sons from the community have called on the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Itse Sagay (SAN), to bottle up, saying that he has consistently embarrassed the present administration with his utterances.
The lawyers disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja while reacting to a statement credited to Sagay in one of the national dailies, where he said that joining the President’s camp would not save any politician from probe or prosecution.
“I know Akpabio is still under probe and if he is found culpable, he would be invited and prosecuted. For me, the only import of him joining the President’s campaign is that he can be persuaded to make a plea bargain quickly, which everyone is entitled to, but the stubborn ones will not take that option,” Sagay was quoted as said.
While responding to Sagay’s statement, Leo Ekpeyoung, a lawyer, said that the law firm was a party to the matter from inception as far back as 2015.
He revealed that the law firm was briefed by clients who made allegations about N100 billion alleged graft in Akwa Ibiom state for which petitions were sent to EFCC.
“We had rigorous interactions with the anti-graft agencies upon which we discovered in the course of our interactions and experiences with the anti graft agencies that the instigators and the sponsors of these petitions were unable to substantiate the credibility of the allegations,” he said
Ekpeyoung noted that what was worrisome was that Sagay talked about plea bargain when there was no arraignment,stressing that it was strange and misnomer for allegations that are not founded on truth to be peddled and propagated by respected members of legal profession.
“What is most worrisome is the fact that we are unable to trace the nexus between the withdrawal of petitions from the anti graft agencies and the defection of Akpabio.
On his part, Eyo Ubuo said that in recent times Sagay has consistently embarrassed the government, while urging President Muhammadu Buhari to call him to order.
He stated that he had been usurping the judiciary with his statement in recent times, by convicting and discharging people on the pages of the papers.
Also, Eyo Ekong said it was wrong to play politics with legal issues of which clarifications have been made.
