Niger Delta Activist and cousin to former President, Goodluck Jonathan, Robert Azibaola on Wednesday dragged the Federal Government to a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, over his continued detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Azibaola in a suit before the court is challenging his continued detention and refusal of the anti-graft agency to charge him to court.
The Niger Delta activist in the application filed by his counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, is asking the court to stop the EFCC from applying for any new remand warrant against him from any court in Nigeria, stressing that the commission wants to use remand warrants to keep him in custody indefinitely.
EFCC had on March 23rd arrested Azibaola over a $40 million pipeline contract allegedly awarded him by the Office of the National Security Adviser, headed by Col. Sambo Dasuki(rtd).
Azibaola in the suit claimed that the Federal Government commissioned him to execute an assignment which was “to navigate the Niger Delta to network with all stakeholders for the purpose of preventing oil pipelines vandalism, oil bunkering and crude oil theft”.
“The assignment was duly executed upon payment,” he said.
Robert is claiming that under section 8 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, he should not be arrested or prosecuted for any civil contract or transaction.
Alleging that he is being persecuted because of his blood relationship with Jonathan, Azibaola prayed the court to order his immediate release or be arraigned for any other offence.
Azibaola is seeking the court to hold that the attempt by the EFCC to force him to implicate Jonathan is contrary to section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which has outlawed the practice of arresting a citizen as ransom for the alleged offense of another citizen.
Joined in the suit as respondents are the EFCC, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Comments