By Kayode Adeoti
The former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin
branch, Sulyman Abaya, last Thursday, dragged the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to court, demanding N1billion
compensation.
Recall that the zonal office of the Commission had accused Abaya of
defrauding one Pastor Adetunji Adedoyin of his property valued at
N20million, thereby forcing him to carry placard which has inscription
of alleged criminal conspiracy, forgery and obtaining money by false
pretence.
Abaya, who was represented by no fewer than 13 lawyers both from
private and government chambers, sought before Justice Hameed Gegele,
of the Kwara State High court, the enforcement of his fundamental
human rights, a public apology among other reliefs.
Abdulrasheed Alajo who addressed the court on behalf of other lawyers
and the applicant submitted that the 2nd and 3rd respondents are yet
to be served court processes.
He however prayed the court to grant adjourn date so as to serve other
respondents on the case.
On his part, the EFCC counsel, Anthony Akoja, informed the court that
he has no objection to the application moved by the applicant’s
counsel.
Justice Gegele in his short ruling, ceded to the application and
adjourned the suit to 27th September, 2019 to allow the applicant
serve other respondents who are involved in the suit.
Speaking to the press after the proceedings, the applicant’s counsel,
Alajo, reiterated that the case could not go on due to inability to
serve 2nd and 3rd respondents.
He also justified the large number of counsels who appeared for the
applicant by saying, “in the legal profession, an injury to one, is an
injury to all”
“A thing like this reduces our image before our clients because if a
lawyer could be treated as such, members of the community will not
have the effrontery to approach lawyer for legal assistance.
“The matter is slated for hearing of our motion, asking for
interlocutory injunction restraining the EFCC from further harassing,
intimidating our client. We’re also in court to seek enforcement of
our fundamental human rights, sometimes ago, our client was arrested,
detained by the EFCC and was asked to carry placard which portrayed
guilty of the alleged offences.
“This act is against the presumption of innocence as entrenched in the
constitution, this is why we demand from the anti-graft, compesation
of N1billion to our client,” Alajo stressed.
Recall that Abaya, during a press conference held recently, lamented
his treatment by the EFCC saying he was forced to carry placard for an
offence he was innocent, at gun point.
“While at the EFCC custody, I clearly stated my story in connection
with the case but despite my explanations and notwithstanding that I
was not confronted with any document I allegedly forged or allegation
that I collected money from anybody or received money on behalf of
anybody in connection with the case, the officers of EFCC threatened
and forced me against my will to carry placard and took my photograph
which they later uploaded on the internet.
“The whole world has undoubtedly seen me carrying a placard. Please
retake a deep look at that picture and you will see that it was
hesitantly carried with one hand. For more than one hour, I resisted
and protested carrying the placard but EFCC called on two of its
mobile policemen who pointed gun at me and coerced me to carry it. As
soon as the picture was taken, EFCC released me and my car.
“I want to state categorically and contrary to the EFCC allegations
that I did not conspire with anybody, impersonate anybody and/or forge
any document in order to defraud the said Pastor Adedoyin of his
property at any point in my life. This fact can be confirmed from Mr.
Victor Okoji, Esq who is said to be Engr. Adedoyin’s lawyer.
