Newsry news
9th June, 2024
EFCC Outburst : Ondo PDP Guber Candidate Agboola Advises Commission Operatives To Be More Professional In Their Conduct.
PRESS RELEASE
On Saturday June 8 2024, We woke up to the news of operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raiding several lounges, event centres and hotels in Akure the Ondo State capital an incident in which no less than 127 youths including a groom-to-be who was having his Bachelor’s Eve party was intimidated, assaulted, brutalized, traumatized with sporadic gun shots and tear gas before they were whisked away to Ibadan, Oyo State.
While it is important for the EFCC as an institution to carry out its duties religiously which involves investigation of all financial crimes including advance fee fraud, money laundering, counterfeiting, illegal fund transfers, contract scam and collaborating with government bodies to ensure the eradication of economic and financial crimes amongst many other responsibilities, it is also very important to ensure that these operations are carried out in a manner that does not hinge on the abuse of fundamental human rights of any Nigerian.
As a law abiding citizen and an indigene of Ondo State, I must state clearly and firmly that I yearn for a better country and I align wholly with the vision of eradication of Economic and Financial Crimes in Nigeria while all persons found guilty as pronounced by a competent court of law must be made to face the law.
I am however deeply concerned about the Gestapo-style abductions, intimidation, assault, use of tear-gas and the destruction properties of business owners and other innocent Nigerians by the EFCC in carrying out their operations which depicts total abuse of office and power, I condem in entirety the violation of the fundamental human rights of our people by these EFCC operatives as reported and seen in viral videos on the Internet.
I therefore, call for an end to all these harrassments, assault or detention of any innocent person by the EFCC while suspects after proper investigation must be charged to court.
The protection of the fundamental human rights of all citizens, including the right to fair trial, dignity, and freedom from any form of torture should be sacrosanct.
I charged the EFCC on the need for transparency and accountability in its operations.
As an institution, it must ensure that due process is followed in all investigations and prosecutions.
Finally, I call on president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Government to investigate these violations and hold perpetrators accountable while some reforms should be carried out in the EFCC to ensure it operates within the bounds of the law, that respects human rights and the rule of law, it must also ensure justice and compensation for victims of EFCC’s abuses.
Lawlessness be it on the part of citizens or government institutions is unacceptable and stands condemned.
We must work together for a just and equitable society.
E Signed:
Hon. Agboola Alfred Ajayi
Ondo State PDP Governorship Candidate
