Alleged Brutality: Kwara lawyer, Abaya, appeals verdict over N1bn damage against EFCC, today

By Kayode Adeoti

The former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA),
Ilorin branch, Sulyman Abaya, will today approach the Court of Appeal
for redress over the dismissal of his suit, seeking N1billion
compensation against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC).
Recall that the EFCC had on 27th August, 2019 arrested Abaya and two
other lawyers for allegedly conspiring to defraud one Pastor Adetunji
Adedoyin of his property valued at about N20 million.
The applicant (Abaya) after his release by the anti-graft agency filed
the suit before Justice Hammed Gegele of the High Court sitting in
Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, against the agency, its Head of Media
and Publicity, Mr Wilson Uwujaren and the Petitioner in the matter;
Pastor Adedoyin, seeking N1 billion damages and public apology in two
national newspapers.
However, delivering judgement on the matter on Friday, Justice Gegele
dismissed the entire suit and resolved all the issues raised against
Abaya.
According to the Judge, there was a reasonable suspicion to have
warranted Abaya’s arrest in view of the fact that the EFCC
sufficiently showed that he was linked to the allegations it was
investigating.
Again, Abaya, also revealed through his own sworn affidavit in support
that he was well abreast of the allegations levelled against him.
The court further upheld that the anti-graft agency has the
constitutional power to arrest even without police warrant or court
order anyone suspected to have committed an offence.
Justice Gegele maintained that uploading pictures of suspect on social
media doesn’t in anyway convict the applicant, saying it only suggest
that he’s under investigation.
Recall that Abaya, was accused by the Ilorin zonal office of the EFCC
of fraud thereby arresting, detaining and ordering him to carry
placard that bears an inscription of criminal conspiracy among other
offences.
This medium however gathered that Abaya, through his legal
representative, Joseph Bamigboye SAN, has filed all the necessary
processes and concluded plans to approach the Court of Appeal, today
in order to seek redress over the high court judgement.
Recall that Abaya, during a press conference held at the Ilorin NBA
house disclosed that he was coerced at gun point by no fewer than two
police officers at the anti-graft agency’s office to carry placard
despite his efforts to avert it.
The lawyer added that he was overpowered by the EFCC policemen after
resisting and protesting against the act for more than one hour.
He further said that his photograph was uploaded on the anti-graft
agency’s social media page immediately it was taken, saying the
development negates his fundamental human right of being heard in the
court of law over the allegation.