The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has described the Commission’s detention facilities as one of the best in the country and conforming with global standards.
EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, in a statement indicated that Olukoyede stated this in Abuja few days ago at a round table on “Access to Justice for Young People,” organized by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Rinsola Abiola.
The President’s aide partnering with the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF/LEAP Africa) alongside Public & Private Development Centre (PPDC), convened the meeting in commemoration of International Youth Day, with the aim of highlighting and seeking solutions to challenges faced by young people from criminal justice administration in Nigeria.
Olukoyede, who was represented by Head, Public Interface Unit of the Commission, Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE I Tony Orilade, explains that the Commission sees every of its suspect first as a human being, entitled to fundamental human rights as provided by the constitution, including ensuring the suspect’s quick access to justice.
He further disclosed that a suspect on arrival at the Commission is allowed access to his lawyer, family members and a doctor for those with a special medical case while those without special health issues are allowed to freely access medical services from the staff clinic. Besides, quality meals are always sourced for suspects from the staff canteen. “
Many suspects have had cause to be remorseful and some even repent of their criminal activities even before prosecution,” he said.
According to the EFCC boss, the fact that persons under prosecution frequently request to be remanded in the custody of the Commission rather than in a custodial centre, lends credence to the fact that EFCC’s holding facilities offer comfort in tune with recommended global standards.
Abiola, in commending the EFCC , stated that the vintage services the Commission is providing to suspects will be invaluable in evolving the needed reforms in the country’s criminal justice administration.