Human rights lawyers have said that with the ongoing attack on the Maitama office and Asokoro house of a socialite and businesswoman, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria is returning to the dark days of former military leader, General Sani Abacha.
The lawyers, in a statement by their coordinator, Barrister Okere Kingdom, argued that under Nigerian laws, a suspect is presumed innocent until convicted by a competent court, stressing that by merely declaring Achimugu wanted by EFCC does not automatically make her a criminal that should be treated in such manner.
They threatened to take legal action against the anti-graft agency, if it continues to harass, intimidate, humiliate and manhandle the socialite and businesswoman, her household and staff.
The lawyers wondered why the EFCC, which declared somebody wanted and asked anyone with information about her to report to its zonal offices, or call phone numbers, would now be attacking the person’s house and office.
Meanwhile, the lawyers have threatened to sue the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for N20 billion over invasions of Maitama office and Asokoro house of Achimugu.
Addressing newsmen at her office, where a detachment of armed EFCC personnel numbering about 20 were guarding, Barrister Kingdom urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the agency’s chairman to order.
Charging the EFCC to obey and follow the Nigerian Constitution by vacating Achimugu’s property, the lawyer disclosed that they would take legal action against the agency, if it continued to harass, intimidate, humiliate and manhandle the woman, her household and staff.
He said: “We and other well-meaning Nigerians wake up on Friday to the declaration of an international figure, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, wanted by the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
“EFCC in a circular released by its Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, and published on official social media handles of the commission said ‘The public is hereby notified that Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
“Achimugu, 51, is an indigene of Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
“Anybody with useful information as to her whereabouts should please contact the commission at its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices.”
He said: “It is curious that the EFCC few hours after this declaration invaded Aisha’s House located in Asokoro in Abuja where they harassed her aged mother and continued with similar despicable acts at her house in Maitama.”