EFCC, Army behave like illiterates, Judge says

Justice Yusuf Haliru, of an Abuja High Court sitting at Jabi has said the EFCC and the Nigerian Army behave like illiterates in their handling of corruption cases against suspects.

The judge made the stance while issuing an order to both parties for the immediate release of Col. Nicholas Ashinze, a former aide to former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, who has been detained since December 23, 2015.

He said that “The respondents, I must be bold to say- the EFCC and the Army- have behaved like illiterates”.

Justice Haliru said he should be released on self-recognition, saying his detention for over three months without trial, was
“‎illegal, wrongful, unlawful and constituted a blatant violation of the fundamental rights of the applicant”.

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Haliru stated that both the EFCC and the Army acted as if Nigeria was still under military ‎dictatorship, and ordered that all documents and items seized from Ashinze’s house should be returned to forthwith.

According to him, “The EFCC is a creation of the ‎law. The court will not allow it to act as if it is above the law. It is remarkable to note that the motto of the EFCC is that nobody is above the law, yet they are acting as if they are above the law.”

He continued, that “Nobody should be subjected to the whims and caprices of the EFCC. The essence of the rule of law and constitutional provisions is to ensure a just balance between the ruler and the ruled, between the powerful and the weak.

“Though the EFCC has the responsibility to investigate financial crime, it must however conduct its operations in accordance with the rule of law”, the judge stated.

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