A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja has lambasted the Economic and Financial. Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its continuous detention of a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Roberts Azibaola.
The EFCC had detained Roberts since March 23 this year following his arrest over his alleged involvement in the diversion of $40million meant for oil pipeline security contract awarded his firm, One-Plus Holdings.
After Azibaola filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit, Justice Olasumbo Goodluck granted an ex-parte application declaring his continued detention without trial unconstitutional.
In his ruling today, Justice Goodluck complained that the warrant she issued for the EFCC to produce the applicant in court since March had not been complied with by the commission.
The judge observed that “rather than to comply with the production order, the respondent (EFCC) wilfully and knowingly side-stepped this court’s production warrant by releasing the applicant (Azibaola Robert) to security operatives who allegedly took the applicant to Lagos on the same day and time the respondent was required to present the applicant before this court.
“As an organisation that is set-up to enforce compliance with the law, the respondent must lead by example,” the judge said.
“The conduct of the respondent is unsalutory and condemnable. It undermines the integrity of the court and portends anarchy. No person being a natural or jurisdic person is greater than the court. All persons are subordinates to the rule of law.
“It is hoped that this rude conduct will never repeat itself. Let nobody pull the wool over the face of this country”, he warned.
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