The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to investigate the alleged failed attempt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to abduct and forcefully remove the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele from Nigeria Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja in defiance to a subsisting Court order which granted him bail.
The House resolution was passed sequel to the laying of a petition titled: ‘Is the EFCC pursuing prosecution or persecution?’
The petition authored by the Executive Director, Centre for Social Justice Equity and Transparency (CESJET), Comrade Joshua Abah was laid by Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Phillip Agbese.
While alleging that the actions of the security agencies are a direct affront to the rule of law and amount to disregarding the Order of a competent Court of Law, the petitioner argued that the embattled former CBN Governor is now facing persecution and not prosecution.
Abah therefore urged the lawmakers to intervene and stop the Commission from abusing the Court process and persecuting Emefiele.
“The above subject refers, please. It has become expedient to bring to your attention, the flagrant violation and breach of the Order of Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the prosecution of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“A High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja had on Friday 24th November 2023, granted bail to the former CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele in the sum of 300 million naira and two sureties in like sum, who must own properties in the Maitama District of the FCT. The Court also ruled that Mr. Godwin Emefiele be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
“Mr. Godwin Emefiele had initially been arraigned on a 20-count charge which was later reduced to a 6-count charge.
“This came after a series of unsubstantiated charges by several Agencies of the State, ranging from sponsoring terrorism, illegal possession of firearms and now 20-count charges of corruption. After the ruling granting him bail was made, the Counsel to Mr Godwin Emefiele informed the Court of how State-owned Security Agencies (especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Directorate of State Security Service (DSS)) have been taking turns and going on rounds in arresting and re-arresting Mr Emefiele on no grounds.
Upon hearing this the Court invited the Counsel to the EFCC to respond.
“In response, the EFCC Counsel undertook on behalf of the EFCC that Mr Emefiele shall not be re-arrested again on the same charges pending before the Court. While the family members of Mr Emefiele were still at the Court trying to fulfil the bail conditions, EFCC operatives were cited at Kuje Correction Centre, laying ambush to re-arrest and forcefully whisk Mr Emefiele away when he came out from the Correctional Centre.
“As you are aware sir, bail is a Constitutionally guaranteed right under Section 34(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). It has become necessary to bring this to the notice of the House of Representatives so that the EFCC can be called to order.
“These actions of the Security Agencies are a direct affront to the rule of law and amount to disregarding the Order of a competent Court of Law. Rather than diligently prosecute the case against Mr. Emefiele, the EFCC and its counterpart, the DSS are busy abusing the Court process and persecuting a citizen who has a right to be presumed innocent until his guilt is proved before a competent Court of Law.
“These agencies of government should refrain from all such untoward practices. If there are new offences, they can file new charges and not keep haunting him perpetually and making frantic efforts to abduct him from Prison Custody.
“This action undermines the rule of law and makes a mockery of our judicial system.
“Bail is a temporary freedom and not a permanent freedom. This conduct of the agencies of the state are all working to undermine the ‘Renewed Hope Agend’a and efforts of Mr. President, our Leader, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the petition reads in part.
