Some legal practitioners in the country have said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is not constitutionally empowered to bar corrupt people from contesting the 2011 general elections.

In separate interviews with our correspondent, the lawyers spoke against the backdrop of recent comments made by the Chairman of the EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri.

Farida had said that the commission would collaborate with other anti-corruption agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission to stop corrupt politicians from contesting the elections.

But, constitutional lawyer, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, said only a court of competent jurisdiction could declare someone corrupt.

He said, ”Maybe the EFCC plans to use the court machinery to stop corrupt candidates. Declaring a candidate corrupt and unfit to contest an election requires a conviction for corruption or other economic crimes by court of competent jurisdiction.”

Also, another constitutional lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje, said he had no doubt that what the EFCC had been doing was to stamp out corruption from all facets of the economy.

He noted, ”But in our quest to fight corruption, and to ensure purity in our social, economic and political life, we must do so in accordance with the rule of law.

A legal practitioner, Mr. Wahab Shittu, noted that before the EFCC chairman made her statement, she must have been convinced of applicable laws and limitations guiding such policy action.

”Since the commission is yet to provide details of how it intends to bar corrupt people from contesting elections, let‘s believe that it won‘t do anything outside the purview of the law. Whatever measures will be put in place will be within the purview of the law,” he stated.