*Cautions lawyers against standing as “surety”, legal representative, at same time
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has declared that securing administrative bail of suspects in the commission’s custody is free.
Acting Commander of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC, ACE I Halima Mustafa Rufa’u said this in Ibadan on Wednesday, while receiving in her office, Executive Committee members of the Ibadan Branch of Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), led by its Chairman, Folashade Aladeniyi.
She stressed that EFCC does not charge any fee from lawyers or family members of detained suspects before releasing them on bail.
The EFCC acting Zonal Commander then tasked lawyers to stop standing as “surety” and legal representative, at the same time, to suspects.
According to ACE I Halima Mustafa Rufa’u, such an act could not only get them into trouble, but does not portray the legal profession in good light.
” In the event the suspect was released and later jumps administrative bail, the Commission will have no choice than to arrest the lawyer first, before going after other sureties”, she said.
The EFCC Zonal Commander then lauded the NBA for the visit, stressing that it would strengthen the existing collaboration and synergy between the two bodies.
Speaking, the Chairman, Ibadan branch NBA, Barrister Folashade Aladeniyi, commended the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC for its efforts in curbing cybercrime and related fraud activities in Oyo State.
“I want to commend the Ibadan Zonal Command and the EFCC at large for its activities towards curbing economic and financial crimes, especially cybercrime in the country. This is evident in the statistics of convictions secured by the Commission over the years”, she said.
Barrister Aladeniyi however charged the EFCC Acting Zonal Commander to protect the rights of suspects in detention by ensuring their quick release, while also causing investigation into the activities of politically exposed persons accused of corruption in the state.
