A group of human rights lawyers has threatened to sue the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to demand N20 billion in damages over what it described as an unlawful invasion of the Maitama office and Asokoro residence of socialite and businesswoman, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu.
Speaking to journalists yesterday at Achimugu’s Maitama office where about 20 armed EFCC operatives were reportedly stationed, the group’s coordinator, Barrister Okere Kingdom, accused the anti-graft agency of operating outside the bounds of the law.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately caution the EFCC chairman, warning that the continued harassment and intimidation of Achimugu, her household and staff would no longer be tolerated.
Kingdom said the lawyers would not hesitate to file a N20bn suit against the commission if the alleged rights violations persisted.
“We are urging the EFCC to respect the Nigerian Constitution and vacate Aisha Achimugu’s property. Declaring someone wanted does not make them a criminal. Under our laws, a suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court,” he said.
He questioned why the EFCC would issue a “wanted” notice and call for public assistance in locating Achimugu, only to storm her private properties shortly after.
The EFCC had on Friday declared Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering. In a circular signed by the commission’s head of media and publicity, Dele Oyewale, the agency asked anyone with useful information about her whereabouts to report to any of its zonal offices nationwide.
However, Kingdom condemned the EFCC’s next move, which he said involved raiding Achimugu’s homes, harassing her aged mother, and creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
“It is curious that just hours after the declaration, EFCC agents invaded her residence in Asokoro and later her Maitama office. This high-handedness and brazen abuse of human rights reminds Nigerians of the dark days of General Sani Abacha’s military dictatorship,” Kingdom said.
The group maintained that it would continue to monitor the situation and take all necessary legal steps to ensure that the rights of Nigerian citizens are protected from arbitrary actions by law enforcement agencies.
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