The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to either arraign the party’s spokesman, Mr. Olisa Metuh, before a competent court of jurisdiction, or grant him administrative bail.
Failure to do either of these, the caucus said , would make it embark on steps to draw the attention of the international community to what it termed, ongoing human rights abuses by detentions beyond lawfully stipulated periods, dictatorial tendencies, attempts to stifle the opposition and endangering democracy by the EFCC and the current administration, reports Thisday.
Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Leo Ogor, queried the continued detention of Metuh for 10 days while a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Ja’afaru Isa, was released after only eight hours, particularly as both men were arrested on issues relating to the $2.1 billion arms deal scandal involving the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Dasuki Sambo (rtd).
“Isa Jafaru was detained by the EFCC and in less than eight hours, was given administrative bail after the Chairman of the EFCC visited Aso Rock. That gives room for some level of preferential treatment or some level of political witch hunt. In a scenario or situation where we must all be equal before the law, it cannot be different strokes for different folks,” he said.
“In every democracy, there is room for opposition. Where our main voice who speaks for our party is arrested and kept in an underground cell is totally undemocratic. No room for authoritarian rule. The EFCC cannot be the prosecutor and the judge in this case,” Ogor added.
Commenting on the reports that Ja’afaru Isa refunded N100 million and Metuh continues to be held because he has refused to refund any funds, Ogor said the EFCC lacks the power to instruct anyone to refund money as such power belongs to the courts of law.
“If he was asked to use those money for specific assignment, if he has said he has used the money and it is not there, it is now for him to defend his action in a competent court of law. It is not a treasonable felony, he is entitled to bail,” Ogor said.
“It is a competent court of jurisdiction that can pronounce anyone guilty in this country. The action of the EFCC today amounts to pronouncing him guilty before he even starts trial. We support the administration of President Buhari, but any action of witch hunt against our members will not be tolerated,” he said.
In another development, a bill seeking to restructure the EFCC for efficiency yesterday passed second reading on the resumption of plenary at the House of Representatives.
Named a “Bill for an Act to Amend the EFCC (Establishment, etc) Act, Cap. E1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for among others, the restructuring of the commission, and for other matters related thereto” is being sponsored by Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai (Delta PDP).
Presenting the bill, Ossai said the commission is currently facing criticisms because it is being perceived as trampling on human rights in its manner of conducting its duties.
Amending the establishment Act, he said, would guide the commission in its actions. Ossai advocated that the body of accountants and other relevant professional bodies be allowed to nominate members into the board of the EFCC.
Hon. Zakari Mohammed (Kwara APC) supported some sections of the bill, and called for professionalism among the operatives of the commission.
He attributed the problem of the EFCC to the police, which in some cases does not consider qualifications and trainings before posting to the commission. The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, also faulted the recommendation for an operation review committee and described it as the height of redundancy.
He disagreed with the recommendation to encourage plea bargaining, as it would be inimical to fighting financial crimes.
The Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, in his ruling said the relevant committee would sieve the merits and demerits of the bill.
The bill passed second reading and was referred to the Committee on Justice.
Posted by Janice Johnson
