EFCC under fire, as court orders release of Jonathan’s former ADC

Jonathan to a former special assistant on domestic affairs to the former president, Waripamowe Dudafa. He has however denied this allegations vehemently.

EFCC had penultimate week denied that the army officer was being held at their own instance but rather at the instance of the Nigerian army.

The former ADC subsequently dragged the agency to court challenging his continued detention.

ALSO SEE: Dasukigate: Colonel Ojogbane denies being arrested by EFCC

However, an Abuja High Court on Thursday ordered the release of the Aide De Camp to the former president, Goodluck Jonathan.

Colonel Adegbe while getting a relieve from the court, the Judge Yusuf Halilu ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release Ojogbane Adegbe on bail.

The Judge ruled that Adegbe be released on bail on very liberal terms pending arraignment for any offence which he might have committed.

Halilu also said that the law must be handled evenly between an individual and the government.

He also condemned EFCC for reducing the anti-graft agency to a police station which now operates outside the ambit of law.

Prior to his ruling, the applicants counsel, Ogwu Onoja told the court that Adegbe had been moved from the EFCC to a military facility.

He also argued that EFCC’s action violated Articles 5, 6 and 12 of the African Charter on
human and peoples’ rights.

While Onoja’s allegation received no objection from the EFCC’s counsel, the judge said his ruling on Adegbe’s release is not binding to the EFCC alone but to any government agency currently detaining the applicant.

ALSO SEE: Jonathan’s ADC sues EFCC, asks for N100m damages

Adegbe has been in detention since Thursday, February 11 after he was recalled from a military course in the United Kingdom.

Upon his return, he was released to the EFCC by the army Provost Marshal for
interrogation on his involvement in an alleged delivering of a concealed parcel from the former president.

Following a prolonged detention by the EFCC, Adegbe filed a suit against the commission over infringement on his fundamental human rights.

He also sued the commission N100 million damages for his continued and unlawful
detention.

It was learnt that soon after he filed a suit against the EFCC, the commission released him back to the army. This step by the anti-corruption agency may further delay Adegbe’shope of respite any time soon.

Watchers of the ongoing war on corruption are however worried about the seemingly flagrant disregard for court orders or pronouncements.