- A Nigerian lawyer has urged the federal government to reconsider its executive order 6
- He said the damaging consequences of the move is bigger than its benefits
- He also added that banning those whose cases are in court is not a war against graft
The chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abakaliki branch, Festus Nweke has called on the federal government to reconsider its recent executive order 6.
Nwekke, while reacting to the federal government's travel ban on 50 Nigerians through an executive order, opined that irrespective of whatsoever gain the development may bring, it is highly damaging and capable of bringing negative consequences, Vanguard reports.
NAIJ.com gathers that the barrister also added that since the affected persons are standing trials in the court, the federal government needed not intervene on the matters "that is subjudice."
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He said: "This particular action of the federal government is obviously not a plus as the negative consequences far outweighs whatever gain the originator has in mind. In the first place, listing deceased Nigerians as part of prominent Nigerians who are restricted from traveling abroad is an indictment that this government is not diligent in handling its matters.
“Secondly, some of the affected persons are already facing trial in court over the same subject matter and it is unthinkable for a democratic government to delve into a matter that is subjudice. The question begging for an answer in the circumstance is where lies the cardinal principle of separation of powers in this government?
"Nwekke also added that: "Under the constitution, the accused person is innocent until he is proven guilty, but the travel ban of the federal government implies otherwise.
“With the action of government in mind the prosecution in these cases will most likely turn themselves into persecutors with desperation to win at all cost. The federal government should operate within the ambit of the law in its anti-corruption drive as good water cannot come out from bad source.”
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that a former national security adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), 13 former governors and seven ex- ministers were reportedly barred from travelling out of the country under Executive Order 6 (EO6) issued on Saturday, October 13, by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The restriction followed the judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6). The watch-list and restriction were put in place pending the conclusion of the cases against those affected.
Apart from Dasuki, those affected by the recent development are former minister of aviation Fani-Kayode, Rashidi Ladoja and Gbenga Daniel who are ex-governors of Oyo and Ogun state respectively.
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Source: Naija.ng