A group of Nigerian lawyers has lodged a complaint with international bodies, including the United Nations and the United Kingdom government, against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede.
The lawyers accused Olukoyede of consistently disregarding court orders and violating the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, a representative of the group, Emmanuel Agada, announced that they were exploring options to impose a visa ban on Olukoyede if he continues to disregard citizens’ rights.
The lawyers cite the treatment of ex-Governor Yahaya Bello as a prime example of Olukoyede’s alleged abuses, according to BusinessDay.
Additionally, the legal professionals were considering suspending international financial support to the EFCC if Olukoyede persists in his actions.
The lawyers envisioned a judiciary that upholds justice transparently and independently.
They have also approached various international organizations to address Olukoyede’s alleged disregard for court orders and constitutional violations.
Meanwhile, the group has also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent Olukoyede from using his position for political purposes, which could damage the government’s reputation.
“It is in the pursuit of this mandate that we have written to the United Nations High Commission For Human Rights, the United States of America, through its embassy in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, through its Nigerian embassy and the European Union as bastions of democracy and Human Rights to investigate the flagrant disregard of a valid Court Order and breach of constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens by the EFCC chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede and caution him.
“As you know, we have already written to Mr. President who has started on a good trajectory and began to enjoy the massive support of overwhelming majority of Nigerians, to call the EFCC chairman in order not to allow his desperation to use the institution to pursue political objectives to bring this administration to public odium and opprobrium,” the lawyers said.
“In our petition to the above mentioned bodies, we were strong in our call for the EFCC chairman to be cautioned and should he continue to disregard Court Orders and Injunctions, and trample on the rights of Nigerian citizens, the way he did against former Governor Yahaya Bello, a comprehensive and total Visa Ban must be implemented and international organizations who support the commission via funding must be enjoined to stop forthwith until the commission purges itself of every unconstitutional approach in exercising their constitutional mandate,” they added.
They acknowledged the role of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in supporting human rights initiatives and have sought their assistance to reinforce institutions and protect the rights and dignity of Nigerian citizens.
They concluded with a call for decisive action to improve the country and its institutions, emphasising the lawyers’ commitment to advocating for judicial respect and the establishment of robust institutions free from political or social influence.
