He Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has advised lawyers to abandon the permanent guarantee to ensure the bail of their clients under investigation.
The acting commander of the Ibadan Commission Zonal Command (ACE I), Halima Rufa’u, gave this charge on Wednesday.
She spoke while receiving members of the Executive Committee of the Ibadan Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Oyo State. NBA branch executives were ushered into the EFCC official’s office by its president, Folashade Aladeniyi.
EFCC Commander, Ibadan, Oyo State Command, Halima Mustafa Rufa’u (right) and NBA Ibadan Branch President Folashade Aladeniyi
A statement from EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said Ms Rufa’u also noted during the meeting with lawyers that the commission’s administrative bail was free.
Administrative bail is granted by law enforcement agencies to suspects at the investigative stage and usually lasts until the case goes to court and the judge issues the primary bail conditions.
According to Ms. Rufa’u, the commission does not charge fees to lawyers or relatives of suspects detained before releasing them on bail.
But he warned that lawyers could get into trouble by acting as guarantors for their detained clients for investigations.
“Should the suspect be released and then the administrative bail is blown, the commission will have no choice but to arrest the lawyer first, before seeking other guarantees,” Ms. Rufa’u warned.
Read the full EFCC statement below:
The administrative bond is free – EFCC
Obtaining administrative bail for suspects in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, custody is free. The Acting Commander of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Commission, ACE I Halima Mustafa Rufa’u, stated this on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, when he received in his office the members of the Executive Committee of the Ibadan Branch of the Association of Lawyers of Nigeria, NBA, led by its president, Folashade Aladeniyi.
According to her, the Commission does not charge fees to lawyers or relatives of suspects detained before releasing them on bail.
Therefore, he warned lawyers to desist from acting as “guarantor” and legal representative, at the same time, for suspects, noting that such an act could not only get them in trouble, but would not well represent the legal profession.
“In the event that the suspect is released and then the administrative bail is broken, the Commission will have no choice but to arrest the lawyer first, before seeking other bail,” Rufa’u warned.
However, the Zonal Commander praised the NBA for the visit and said it would strengthen the existing collaboration and synergy between the two organizations.
In her commentary, committee chairwoman Folashade Aladeniyi praised the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Command for its efforts to curb cybercrime and fraud-related activities in Oyo State.
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“I want to congratulate the Ibadan Zonal Command and the EFCC in general for their activities to curb economic and financial crime, especially cybercrime in the country. This is evident in the conviction statistics obtained by the Commission over the years,” Aladeniyi said.
She, however, appealed to the Zonal Commander to protect the rights of the detained suspects by ensuring their speedy release while also investigating the activities of politically exposed persons accused of corruption in the state.
wilson uwujaren
Head, Media and Advertising
08/16/2023
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Let hear it in the comment below if you do have an opinion on this; Why shouldn’t lawyers hold bail for suspects?