By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of persecuting him.
According to Adoke, through his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the commission has no legal justification to continue to hold him in their custody since he had met the bail conditions set by the court for his release and other accused persons standing trial at an Abuja High Court.
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He said, ‘’Consequently, it was expected that the EFCC (whose motto is, “NO one is above the law”), having submitted itself to the courts by arraigning Mr Adoke before a court of law, ought to lead in the struggle for the preservation of the Rule of law and obedience to court orders. We believe it ought to show leadership, in accordance with the dictates of the Rule of law, by obeying the order of a court of Competent jurisdiction (coran, Justice Idris Kutigi), which had granted bail to Bello Adoke. The EFCC by refusing to toe this line, is now constituting itself into an appellate court or tribunal over court decisions. This cannot be so.
‘’After fulfilling his bail conditions, and upon presenting the release order of the court duly signed by his Lordship to the EFCC, another round of stories commenced. It was either that one official or the other, was not available to authorize the release. And, so Adoke continues to languish in illegal detention.
‘’As at today, 6th February, 2020 (and still counting), over seven clear days after the court granted Adoke bail, the EFCC continues to detain him.
‘’In compliance with the enrolled and certified order of the court dated 30th January, 2020, for Adoke’s release, he had duly and fully complied with all the bail conditions imposed on him by the court.
‘’Notwithstanding our client’s fulfilment of his bail conditions, he has been kept by the Respondent in horrific detention, in blatant defiance of the court’s clear and mandatory order for his release on bail. His health condition is fast deteriorating on a daily basis’’.
Ozekhome appealed to the EFCC, to respect a valid court order, by releasing Mr. Bello Adoke, SAN, forthwith, from his illegal, unlawful wrongful, and unconstitutional detention.
‘’By arraigning Adoke before a court of law, it has undertaken to abide by the court’s decisions. We humbly appeal to this government to help us build strong and enduring institutions; not strong men or women’’, he said.
