Lawyers back Maina’s disengagement
In his reaction, the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Austin Alegeh (SAN) stated that the president has the powers to seek the disengagement of Maina through the proper process. He said the most important thing is how the directive is carried out. “If the president believes that the man who was declared […]
In his reaction, the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Austin Alegeh (SAN) stated that the president has the powers to seek the disengagement of Maina through the proper process. He said the most important thing is how the directive is carried out.
“If the president believes that the man who was declared wanted by the EFCC cannot just be brought in through the backdoor, he has an overbearing right to do the correct thing,” he said.
Anti-corruption lawyer, Abeny Mohammed (SAN) said if the president has found Maina’s appointment irregular, and he is being investigated by the EFCC, he is right to order his removal. He added that even if Maina challenges the decision in court, he would not succeed.
He however charged the president to do more to bring members of the executive accused of corruption to book if he is to win public confidence on the anti-corruption war.
Ahmed Raji (SAN) said if the allegations border on gross misconduct or have weighty allegations, any senior civil servant can be removed without being given a hearing.
“The fact that the president has directed does not mean it will be done anyhow. It will still have to follow relevant rules. That is left for the bureaucrats to handle. They will look at the extant rules and follow the quickest means,” he said.
A law lecturer, Daniel Bwala, said the directive should be viewed within the context of the powers of the president and the civil service rules.