Coalition Chides EFCC over continued detention of Bauchi finance commissioner
By Samuel Luka
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been criticized by the Independent Public Service Accountability Watch (IPSAW) and the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance over its continued detention of Bauchi State Finance Commissioner, Yakubu Adamu.
Addressing a press conference in Bauchi over the weekend, Comrade Godiya T. Adams, Coalition of Civil Society Organization for Good Governance flanked by Comr. Stephen Eriba, Executive Director, Independent Public Service Accountability Watch, decried that despite a Federal High Court order, the EFCC has failed to produce Adamu for arraignment.
The while describing the action of the EFCC as “unfair, unprofessional, and uncalled for”, demanded that the commissioner be produced in the court to pave the way for his bail.
“A formal charge of alleged money laundering has been filed, and Adamu is ready to take his plea”, they said.
The coalition further noted that the detention has caused administrative paralysis, stalled financial operations, and left 60,000 civil servants unpaid, affecting thousands of families.
IPSAW which demanded Adamu’s immediate production and arraignment, adherence to due process, and protection of his human rights, accused the EFCC of procedural abuse and possible political orchestration, eroding public confidence in the justice system.
They called on the judiciary, oversight bodies, and the international community to monitor the matter and ensure justice.
“This refusal to produce Mr. Yakubu Adamu in court is troubling, given the clear and unambiguous order of the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Honourable Justice Emeka Nwite, directing the EFCC to produce the Commissioner for arraignment”, the coalition stated.
The groups further said, “despite this directive, the EFCC has failed on more than one occasion to present Mr. Adamu in court, thereby frustrating judicial proceedings and undermining the authority of the court”.