Politics
For being dumped in detention, ex-minister Mohammed sues EFCC for N100m
Mr. Bala Mohammed, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for N100 million for dumping him in detention without bail since October 24.
This is as he filed a fundamental human right suit before the High Court of the FCT against the EFCC, claiming in his 15-paragraph affidavit filed in support of the suit, that he was invited by the EFCC to report to its office on October 24, 2016 in association with investigation into alleged ‘lases of conspiracy, abuse of office and money laundering’.
Umar Aliyu Usman, who is deposed to the affidavit, argued that Mohammed voluntarily reported to the EFCC on October 24, 2016 and was straightaway arrested and detained till date.
According to him, the anti-graft agency has since then dumped and abandoned Mohammed in a cell instead of granting him bail. He added that he has being suffering considerable deterioration of his health and untold psychological trauma and mental torture.
In the suit filed by Chief Chris Uche (SAN) his counsel and marked FCT/CV/220/2016, the applicant is asking the court for an order compelling and directing the EFCC to release him on bail forthwith or immediately arraign him before a competent court of law for trial.
Read also: The many battles of EFCC boss Magu for confirmation
He sought among others, a declaration that his arrest and detention since October 24, 2016 till date by the commission was illegal, unlawful, unreasonable, unjustified and unconstitutional; that he is entitled to be released on bail by the EFCC pending the investigation of allegations against him and pending any arraignment before a court of law.
He also prayed for an order of court enforcing and restoring his fundamental right to personal liberty as enshrined and guaranteed by section 35 of the 1999 constitution, which has been violated and is being violated by the respondent. He asked for the sum of N100 million as special and general damages against the EFCC for his illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional arrest and detention.
Meanwhile, Justice Baba Yusuf, who is handling the case has fixed November 24 for hearing.
By Ebere Ndukwu …
RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
