The House of Representatives has taken a decisive step to investigate the reported failed attempt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to forcibly extract former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, from the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja. This action was taken in defiance of a standing court order granting Emefiele bail.
The resolution to conduct the investigation was reached following the presentation of a petition titled ‘Is the EFCC pursuing prosecution or persecution?’ The petition, submitted by the Executive Director of the Centre for Social Justice Equity and Transparency (CESJET), Comrade Joshua Abah, was laid before the House by Hon. Phillip Agbese, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs.
The petitioner argued that the actions of the security agencies, especially the EFCC, amounted to a direct violation of the rule of law and a disregard for the court’s order. Abah contended that rather than a fair prosecution, Emefiele was facing persecution.
The petition highlighted the circumstances leading to the investigation request, stating, “It has become expedient to bring to your attention the flagrant violation and breach of the Order of Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the prosecution of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
It further explained that Emefiele had been granted bail by a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on November 24, 2023, with specific conditions. However, despite the assurance from the EFCC Counsel during the court proceedings that Emefiele would not be re-arrested on the same charges, the petitioner alleged that EFCC operatives were later seen at Kuje Correctional Centre, attempting to re-arrest him.
The petition emphasized the constitutional right to bail and called for the House of Representatives to intervene, urging the EFCC to abide by the rule of law and cease actions that undermine the judicial system.
The petition concluded, “This action undermines the rule of law and makes a mockery of our judicial system. Bail is a temporary freedom and not a permanent freedom. This conduct of the agencies of the state is all working to undermine the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ and efforts of Mr. President, our Leader, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
